History of Max Holloway in Timeline

Jerome Max Keli’i Holloway is an American professional mixed martial artist renowned for his accomplishments in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He has competed in both the Featherweight and Lightweight divisions, achieving the title of former UFC Featherweight Champion and the current UFC ‘BMF’ Champion. Widely regarded as one of the greatest Featherweights in MMA history, Holloway's current rankings reflect his continued presence at the top of the sport. As of late October 2024, he is ranked #5 in the UFC lightweight division, #2 in the featherweight division, and #12 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

December 4, 1991: Max Holloway Born

On December 4, 1991, Jerome Max Keli’i Holloway was born. He would later become a professional mixed martial artist.

Others born on this day/year

2007: Kickboxing Training

In 2007, Max Holloway started training kickboxing at the age of 15.

2010: High School Graduation

In 2010, Max Holloway graduated from Waianae High School.

March 12, 2011: X-1 Lightweight Title

On March 12, 2011, Max Holloway earned the lightweight strap for the Hawaii-based X-1 promotion with a split decision win over Harris Sarmiento.

February 4, 2012: UFC Debut

On February 4, 2012, Max Holloway made his UFC debut at UFC 143, losing to Dustin Poirier via submission in the first round.

June 1, 2012: Victory Over Pat Schilling

On June 1, 2012, Max Holloway defeated Pat Schilling via unanimous decision at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale.

August 11, 2012: Defeats Justin Lawrence

On August 11, 2012, Max Holloway defeated Justin Lawrence via TKO in the second round at UFC 150.

December 29, 2012: Split Decision Victory

On December 29, 2012, Max Holloway defeated Leonard Garcia via split decision at UFC 155.

2012: Marriage to Kaimana Pa'aluhi

In 2012, Holloway married Kaimana Pa'aluhi, his long-time girlfriend, and together they had a son named Rush Holloway.

2012: Featherweight Prospect

In 2012, Max Holloway was recognized as the #7 featherweight prospect by Bloody Elbow.

May 25, 2013: Loss to Dennis Bermudez

On May 25, 2013, Max Holloway faced Dennis Bermudez at UFC 160 and lost via split decision, a result considered controversial by many media outlets.

August 17, 2013: Loss to Conor McGregor

On August 17, 2013, Max Holloway faced Conor McGregor at UFC Fight Night 26 and lost via unanimous decision.

January 4, 2014: TKO Victory and Bonus

On January 4, 2014, Max Holloway defeated Will Chope via TKO at UFC Fight Night 34, earning his first Knockout of the Night bonus.

April 26, 2014: Submission Victory Over Andre Fili

On April 26, 2014, Max Holloway submitted Andre Fili in the third round at UFC 172.

August 23, 2014: TKO Victory Over Clay Collard

On August 23, 2014, Max Holloway defeated Clay Collard via TKO in the third round at UFC Fight Night 49.

October 4, 2014: KO Victory and Performance Bonus

On October 4, 2014, Max Holloway knocked out Akira Corassani in the first round at UFC Fight Night 53, earning his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

2014: Separation from Kaimana Pa'aluhi

In 2014, Holloway and his wife Kaimana Pa'aluhi separated.

February 15, 2015: Victory Over Cole Miller

On February 15, 2015, Max Holloway defeated Cole Miller via unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 60.

April 18, 2015: Submission Victory Over Cub Swanson and Bonus

On April 18, 2015, Max Holloway finished Cub Swanson with a mounted guillotine in the third round at UFC on Fox 15, earning his second Performance of the Night bonus award.

August 23, 2015: TKO Victory and Youngest to 10 UFC Wins

On August 23, 2015, Max Holloway defeated Charles Oliveira via TKO at UFC Fight Night 74, becoming the youngest fighter in UFC history to achieve 10 wins.

December 12, 2015: Victory Over Jeremy Stephens

On December 12, 2015, Max Holloway defeated Jeremy Stephens via unanimous decision at UFC 194.

June 4, 2016: Victory Over Ricardo Lamas

On June 4, 2016, Max Holloway defeated Ricardo Lamas via unanimous decision at UFC 199.

December 10, 2016: Interim Featherweight Champion

On December 10, 2016, Max Holloway defeated Anthony Pettis via TKO at UFC 206 to become the interim UFC Featherweight Champion. Pettis missed weight, making him ineligible for the title if he won. Holloway also earned a Performance of the Night bonus.

June 3, 2017: UFC Featherweight Champion

On June 3, 2017, Max Holloway defeated José Aldo via TKO at UFC 212 to become the unified UFC Featherweight Champion, also earning a Fight of the Night bonus.

October 4, 2017: New UFC Contract

On October 4, 2017, Max Holloway signed a new multi-fight deal with the UFC.

November 8, 2017: Edgar Withdraws

On November 8, 2017, Frankie Edgar withdrew from his scheduled fight with Holloway due to injury and was replaced by José Aldo.

December 2, 2017: Holloway Retains Title

On December 2, 2017, Max Holloway defeated José Aldo via TKO to retain the UFC Featherweight belt.

2017: Divorce from Kaimana Pa'aluhi

In 2017, Holloway divorced Kaimana Pa'aluhi.

February 3, 2018: Holloway Pulled from Bout

On February 3, 2018, Max Holloway was forced to pull out of the bout against Frankie Edgar due to a leg injury.

March 3, 2018: Rescheduled Bout

On March 3, 2018, the bout with Edgar was supposed to take place at UFC 222.

April 1, 2018: Late Replacement

On April 1, 2018, Max Holloway was announced as a late replacement for the injured Tony Ferguson in a fight for the vacant undisputed UFC Lightweight Championship.

April 7, 2018: Holloway Pulled from the Card

On April 6, 2018, Max Holloway was pulled from the card by New York State Athletic Commission doctors due to the severity of his short-notice weight cut, the bout continued with Al Iaquinta as a last minute replacement for Holloway.

July 7, 2018: Pulled from Fight

On July 4, 2018, Max Holloway was scheduled to defend his UFC Featherweight Championship title against Brian Ortega on July 7, 2018. However, he was pulled from the fight due to "concussion like symptoms".

December 8, 2018: Victory Over Brian Ortega and Records

On December 8, 2018, Max Holloway defeated Brian Ortega via TKO at UFC 231, earning Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night awards. He also broke the record for most significant strikes in one fight.

July 27, 2019: Featherweight Title Defense

On July 27, 2019, Max Holloway defeated Frankie Edgar by unanimous decision at UFC 240, successfully defending his featherweight title for a third time.

December 14, 2019: Loss to Volkanovski and Title Loss

On December 14, 2019, Max Holloway faced Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 245 and lost the fight via unanimous decision, losing his featherweight title.

2019: Interim Lightweight Title Fight

In 2019, Max Holloway moved up a weight class to face Dustin Poirier in a rematch for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship, losing by unanimous decision but earning the Fight of the Night award.

2020: Started dating Alessa Quizon

In early 2020, Holloway began dating Hawaiian pro surfer Alessa Quizon.

January 16, 2021: Holloway VS Kattar Record

On January 16, 2021, at UFC on ABC 1, Holloway would later surpass his own significant strike record when he faced Calvin Kattar, with 445 significant strikes landed in the fight and 141 landed in round four.

June 17, 2021: Holloway Pulled from Fight

On June 17, 2021, it was reported that Max Holloway was forced to pull out of the fight with Yair Rodríguez due to injury.

July 17, 2021: Scheduled Fight

On July 17, 2021, Max Holloway was scheduled to face Yair Rodríguez at UFC on ESPN 26.

November 13, 2021: Victory Over Yair Rodríguez

On November 13, 2021, Max Holloway defeated Yair Rodríguez via unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 197, earning the Fight of the Night award.

March 5, 2022: Scheduled Fight

On March 5, 2022, Max Holloway was scheduled to face Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 272.

April 16, 2022: Marriage to Alessa Quizon

On April 16, 2022, Holloway married Alessa Quizon.

July 2, 2022: Loss to Volkanovski

On July 2, 2022, Max Holloway faced Alexander Volkanovski for the third time at UFC 276 and lost the bout via unanimous decision.

April 15, 2023: Victory Over Arnold Allen

On April 15, 2023, Max Holloway defeated Arnold Allen by unanimous decision at UFC on ESPN 44.

August 26, 2023: Knockout Victory Over Jung Chan-sung

On August 26, 2023, Max Holloway defeated Jung Chan-sung via knockout at UFC Fight Night 225, earning a Fight of the Night award.

April 13, 2024: BMF Champion

On April 13, 2024, Max Holloway defeated Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 to win the "BMF" championship, earning a $300,000 Performance of the Night award and a $300,000 Fight of the Night award.

August 2024: UFC History Bout

As of August 2024, the fight between Max Holloway and Calvin Kattar is one of four bouts in UFC history to have a 50-42 scorecard.

August 20, 2024: UFC Featherweight Ranking

As of August 20, 2024, Max Holloway is ranked #2 in the UFC featherweight rankings.

October 22, 2024: UFC Lightweight Ranking

As of October 22, 2024, Max Holloway is ranked #5 in the UFC lightweight rankings.

October 26, 2024: UFC Featherweight Championship fight

On October 26, 2024, Max Holloway faced Ilia Topuria for the UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 308 and lost by knockout in the third round, marking the first knockout loss of his career.