Max Holloway, also known as Max “Blessed” Holloway, is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC featherweight division. Despite a challenging upbringing, Holloway began his professional training at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks. He joined the UFC in 2012 and became the Featherweight Champion in 2017, successfully defending his title multiple times. Holloway has set numerous records throughout his career, including the UFC record for the most significant strikes landed in a single match. Outside of the octagon, he is a devoted father and has been married to both model/actor Kaimana Pa’aluhi and professional surfer Alessa Quizon.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Jerome Max Keli’i Holloway
- Age: 32 Years, 32 Year Old Males
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Alessa Quizon, Kaimana Pa’aluhi
- Father: Mark Holloway
- Mother: Missy Kapoi
- Children: Rush Holloway
- Born Country: United States
- Mixed Martial Artists
- American Men
- Height: 5’11” (180 cm), 5’11” Males
- U.S. State: Hawaii
Childhood, Early Life & Education
Max Holloway was born Jerome Max Keli’i Holloway on December 4, 1991, in Honolulu, Hawaii, US. He grew up in Waianae, known for its culture of fist fighting. Holloway had a difficult childhood as his father abused his mother and abandoned them when he was 11. Despite both his parents being drug addicts, his mother later recovered and raised him with the help of her family. Holloway began training in kickboxing at the age of 15 and won his first amateur bout after just 3 days of training. He studied at Waianae High School and graduated in 2010 with a 4-0 amateur record.
Career
Max Holloway is a legendary figure in mixed martial arts and has won multiple Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) titles. He made his amateur debut in kickboxing in 2010 and turned professional later that year. Holloway joined the UFC in 2012 and had a mix of wins and losses in the early stages of his career. He went on a 9-fight winning streak and became the Interim UFC Featherweight Champion in 2016. Holloway then defeated Jose Aldo to become the undisputed UFC Featherweight Champion. He defended his title against several opponents before moving up to lightweight. Holloway had a close match against Dustin Poirier for the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship but lost by unanimous decision. He returned to featherweight and successfully defended his title against Frankie Edgar. However, he lost the championship to Alexander Volkanovski in a rematch. Holloway has since had notable victories against Calvin Kattar and Yair Rodríguez.
Personal Life
In 2012, Max Holloway married Kaimana Pa’aluhi, but they separated in 2014 and divorced in 2017. They have a son named Rush Holloway, and Holloway shares custody with Pa’aluhi. Holloway is currently married to Hawaiian professional surfer Alessa Quizon, whom he started dating in 2020. They got married in April 2022. Holloway and Pa’aluhi are on good terms and co-parent their son.