Learn more about Max Holloway's UFC history, fighter facts, and Q&A below.
Fighter Facts
- Pro since 2010
- Ten wins by KO, two by submission (2 guillotine), 10 by decision
- Has won 16 of his last 19
- Was unbeaten at 145 pounds from 2014 to 2019 (14-0)
- Owns March 2011 win over Strikeforce, IFL, WFA vet Harris Sarmiento, veteran of 53 fights at the time.
- Origin of nickname – “It just came because of the things I was able to accomplish in the time I did, so my coach at the time simply said, ‘You’re blessed, man.’ The nickname just stuck.”
UFC History
UFC 276 (7/2/22) Holloway lost a five round unanimous decision to Alexander Volkanovski in a UFC featherweight title fight
UFC Fight Night (11/13/21) Holloway won a five round unanimous decision over Yair Rodriguez
UFC on ABC (1/16/21) Holloway won a five round unanimous decision over Calvin Kattar
UFC 251 (7/12/20) Holloway lost a five round split decision to Alexander Volkanovski in a fight for the UFC featherweight title
UFC 245 (12/14/19) Holloway lost a five round unanimous decision to Alexander Volkanovski, losing his UFC featherweight title
UFC 240 (7/27/19) Holloway won a five round unanimous decision over Frankie Edgar to retain his UFC featherweight title
UFC 236 (4/13/19) Holloway lost a five-round unanimous decision to Dustin Poirier in a fight for the interim UFC lightweight title
UFC 231 (12/8/18) Holloway scored a TKO (doctor stoppage) over Brian Ortega at 5:00 of round four to retain his UFC featherweight title
UFC 218 (12/2/17) Holloway stopped Jose Aldo via strikes at 4:51 of the third round to retain his UFC featherweight title
UFC 212 (6/3/17) Holloway stopped Jose Aldo via strikes at 4:13 of the third round to win the undisputed UFC featherweight title
UFC 206 (12/10/16) Holloway stopped Anthony Pettis via strikes at 4:50 of the third round to win the interim UFC featherweight title
UFC 199 (6/4/16) Holloway won a three round unanimous decision over Ricardo Lamas
UFC 194 (12/12/15) Holloway won a three round unanimous decision over Jeremy Stephens
UFC Fight Night (8/23/15) Holloway scored a TKO (injury) over Charles Oliveira at 1:39 of the first round
UFC on FOX (4/18/15) Holloway submitted Cub Swanson via guillotine choke at 3:58 of the third round
UFC Fight Night (2/14/15) Holloway won a three round unanimous decision over Cole Miller
UFC Fight Night (10/4/14) Holloway knocked out Akira Corassani at 3:11 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (8/23/14) Holloway stopped Clay Collard via strikes at 3:47 of the third round
UFC 172 (4/26/14) Holloway submitted Andre Fili via guillotine choke at 3:39 of the third round
UFC Fight Night (1/4/14) Holloway stopped Will Chope via strikes at 2:27 of the second round
UFC Fight Night (8/17/13) Holloway lost a three round unanimous decision to Conor McGregor
UFC 160 (5/25/13) Holloway lost a three round split decision to Dennis Bermudez
UFC 155 (12/29/12) Holloway won a three round split decision over Leonard Garcia
UFC 150 (8/11/12) Holloway stopped Justin Lawrence via strikes at 4:49 of the second round
TUF Live Finale (6/1/12) Holloway won a three round unanimous decision over Pat Schilling
UFC 143 (2/4/12) Holloway was submitted by Dustin Poirier via mounted triangle armbar at 3:23 of the first round.
Q&A
When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training at the end of my sophomore year in high school in 2007. I started training because one of my best friends that I met in that grade - Josh Keanu - told me I should train with him. I slept over his house one night and his trainer was there too. The trainer watched me hitting the speed bag and said I should come to training. So I did and the rest is history.
What ranks and titles have you held? UFC featherweight champion, I held the 155 title for X-1 world events, it’s the biggest show on the island.
Do you have any heroes? Jesus Christ for leading the way for me, and my grandma Cynthia Kapoi. She was always there for me and my brothers and just gave us a lot of love.
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means a lot because I come from a little town on Oahu that is basically looked down upon. We are seen as the punks and troublemakers of the island. It just feels so good to make it when people are looking at you thinking there is no way I can. This also was a dream since I first started fighting. I’m living my dream doing what I love to do. It’s just hard to explain how I feel because I can’t put it in words.
Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? No. Right after high school I knew I wanted to fight. People would ask me ‘are you going to college’ and I would say ‘no, I’m gonna pursue my dream and fight.’ Most of them would give me a ‘you’re crazy’ face. But it just made me want it more.
What was your job before you started fighting? I worked with a man named Dorsey Roberts. He owns his own handyman business and that’s what I was, a handyman.
Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? I won three amateur 145-pound belts within three months. In order, 808 Battleground, Destiny interim, Just Scrap.
Ranks in any martial arts styles: Purple belt in jiu-jitsu
Favorite grappling technique: Arm bar
Favorite Striking technique: flying knee
