Max Holloway

Jerome Max Kelii Holloway (born December 4, 1991) is an American professional mixed martial artist.

He currently competes in the Featherweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former UFC Featherweight Champion.

As of February 20, 2024, he is #2 in UFC featherweight rankings, and as of January 24, 2024, he is #14 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.

Holloway was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and raised in Waianae, an area known for fist fighting.

He is of Native Hawaiian and Samoan ancestry.

Holloway's parents were heavy drug users, his mother Missy Kapoi being a crystal meth consumer who later recovered.

His father, Mark Holloway, who constantly abused his mother, left when Max was around 11 years old.

Max started training kickboxing in 2007 at the end of his sophomore year, aged 15, out of Team Ruthless, and went on to win his first amateur bout in the sport after three days of training.

He graduated from Waianae High School in 2010.

At the age of 19, Holloway had amassed a record of 4–0.

His early career was highlighted by a split decision win over former Strikeforce and WEC veteran Harris Sarimento on March 12, 2011, earning himself the lightweight strap for the Hawaii-based X-1 promotion.

He gained recognition as the #7 featherweight prospect of 2012 in Bloody Elbow's 2012 World MMA Scouting Report and was compared with former UFC and former WEC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, due to his ability to incorporate a wide array of flying and spinning kicks, knees and elbows into his striking game.

Holloway was the youngest fighter on the UFC roster when he made his promotional debut as an injury replacement for Ricardo Lamas at UFC 143 on February 4, 2012, against Dustin Poirier.

He lost the fight via submission (mounted triangle armbar) in the first round.

In his second fight, Holloway faced Pat Schilling on June 1, 2012, at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale.

Holloway won via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27).

Holloway defeated Justin Lawrence, on August 11, 2012, at UFC 150.

Holloway won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Holloway fought Leonard Garcia on December 29, 2012, at UFC 155, replacing an injured Cody McKenzie.

Holloway won the close fight via split decision.

Holloway faced Dennis Bermudez on May 25, 2013, at UFC 160.

He lost the fight controversially via split decision.

11 out of 11 media members scored the fight in favor of Holloway.

Holloway faced Conor McGregor on August 17, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 26.

He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Holloway faced promotional newcomer Will Chope on January 4, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 34.

Holloway won the fight via TKO in the second round.

The win also earned Holloway his first Knockout of the Night bonus.

Holloway faced Andre Fili on April 26, 2014, at UFC 172.

He won the back-and-forth fight after submitting Fili in the third round.

Holloway was expected to face Mirsad Bektić on August 23, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 49, replacing an injured Ernest Chavez.

However, Bektic pulled out of the bout in the week leading up to the event and was replaced by promotional newcomer Clay Collard.

Holloway won the fight via TKO in the third round.

Holloway again served as a replacement and faced Akira Corassani on October 4, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 53, filling in for Chan Sung Jung.

He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

The win earned Holloway his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

Holloway faced Cole Miller on February 15, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 60.

Holloway won via unanimous decision.

Holloway faced Cub Swanson on April 18, 2015, at UFC on Fox 15.

Holloway finished the fight with a mounted guillotine in the third round.