Jerome Max Keli’i Holloway is a celebrated American mixed martial artist known for his relentless fighting style and charismatic presence in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Raised in Waianae, a community steeped in a culture of street fighting, Holloway’s early life was marked by significant challenges, including a tumultuous family environment shaped by his parents’ struggles with drug addiction.
Of Native Hawaiian and Samoan descent, Holloway channeled his hardships into combat sports, beginning with kickboxing at age 15.
His journey from a troubled childhood to becoming one of the UFC’s most beloved figures is a testament to his resilience and determination.
Holloway, nicknamed “Blessed,” has not only achieved greatness in the octagon but also become a role model for his son, Rush, and a proud representative of Hawaiian culture.
Siblings
Max grew up alongside two brothers, Clement Holloway Jr. and Sam Kapoi.
Clement Holloway Jr., one of Max’s brothers, has faced significant legal troubles, including an incident where he was accused of breaking into a woman’s home, assaulting her, and fleeing the scene.
Sam Kapoi, Max’s half-brother, has also encountered legal issues, having been sentenced to an 18-year prison term.
Despite these struggles, Max has spoken fondly of his family, particularly his grandparents, who played a pivotal role in raising him and his siblings when their parents were absent or struggling.
Holloway’s mother, Missy Kapoi, would sometimes disappear for days, leaving Max and his brothers in the care of their grandparents, who provided stability amidst chaos.
Max has credited his older brother, who is four years older, for confronting their mother about her addiction, which ultimately led to her recovery.
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Career
Holloway’s career in mixed martial arts began in 2007 when he started training in kickboxing at Team Ruthless during his sophomore year of high school.
Remarkably, he won his first amateur bout after just three days of training, showcasing his natural talent.
By the time he graduated from Waianae High School in 2010, Holloway had amassed a 4-0 amateur record.
Turning professional that same year, he quickly made a name for himself in Hawaii’s local fight scene before joining the UFC in 2012 at the age of 20, making him one of the youngest fighters on the roster at the time.
His UFC debut came at UFC 143 against Dustin Poirier, where he suffered a first-round submission loss, but Holloway rebounded with a three-fight winning streak, demonstrating his striking prowess and durability.
Over the years, he faced top-tier opponents like Conor McGregor, Jose Aldo, and Alexander Volkanovski, establishing himself as a featherweight legend.
Holloway’s career highlights include a 13-fight winning streak, one of the longest in UFC featherweight history, and iconic performances against fighters like Calvin Kattar, where he set a UFC record for the most significant strikes landed in a single fight.
Accolades
Holloway’s career is decorated with numerous accolades that cement his status as one of the greatest featherweight fighters in MMA history.
He captured the UFC Featherweight Championship in 2017 by defeating Jose Aldo at UFC 212, unifying the title after winning the interim belt against Anthony Pettis in 2016.
Holloway successfully defended the featherweight title three times, showcasing his dominance against elite competition like Aldo and Brian Ortega.
In 2024, he added the prestigious “BMF” (Baddest Mother Fucker) title to his resume with a dramatic knockout victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, a fight that earned widespread acclaim for its intensity and Holloway’s clutch performance.
His technical brilliance is reflected in records like the most significant strikes landed in a single UFC fight (445 against Calvin Kattar) and the highest number of featherweight wins in UFC history (15).
Holloway has earned multiple Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses, underscoring his ability to deliver thrilling contests.
Beyond the octagon, he received the Forrest Griffin Community Award in 2021 for his charitable efforts in Hawaii, reflecting his commitment to giving back to his community.
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