History of Max Holloway in Timeline

Jerome Max Keli'i Holloway is an American professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC's Featherweight and Lightweight divisions. A former UFC Featherweight Champion and current 'BMF' Champion, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest featherweights in history. As of July 1, 2025, he is highly ranked in the UFC featherweight, lightweight, and pound-for-pound rankings, solidifying his status as an elite fighter.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

December 4, 1991: Max Holloway's Birth

On December 4, 1991, Jerome Max Keli'i Holloway was born. He is an American professional mixed martial artist.

Others born on this day/year

2007: Started Training Kickboxing

In 2007, Max Holloway started training kickboxing at the age of 15 with Team Ruthless and won his first amateur bout after only three days of training.

2010: Graduated High School

In 2010, Max Holloway graduated from Waianae High School.

March 12, 2011: Won Lightweight Strap for X-1 Promotion

On March 12, 2011, Max Holloway secured a split decision win against Harris Sarmiento, earning the lightweight title for the Hawaii-based X-1 promotion.

February 4, 2012: UFC Debut

On February 4, 2012, Max Holloway made his UFC debut at UFC 143 as an injury replacement, facing Dustin Poirier and losing via submission in the first round.

June 1, 2012: Defeated Pat Schilling

On June 1, 2012, Max Holloway faced Pat Schilling at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale and won by unanimous decision.

August 11, 2012: Defeated Justin Lawrence

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

December 29, 2012: Defeated Leonard Garcia

On December 29, 2012, Max Holloway replaced an injured Cody McKenzie and fought Leonard Garcia at UFC 155, winning via split decision.

2012: Marriage to Kaimana Pa'aluhi

In 2012, Holloway married his long-time girlfriend Kaimana Pa'aluhi, with whom he has one son, Rush Holloway.

2012: Recognized as a Top Prospect

In 2012, at the age of 19, Max Holloway was recognized as the #7 featherweight prospect in Bloody Elbow's 2012 World MMA Scouting Report and was compared to Anthony Pettis.

May 25, 2013: Lost to Dennis Bermudez

On May 25, 2013, Max Holloway faced Dennis Bermudez at UFC 160 and lost via a controversial split decision.

August 17, 2013: Lost 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: Defeated Will Chope

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

April 26, 2014: Submitted Andre Fili

On April 26, 2014, Max Holloway faced Andre Fili at UFC 172, winning by submission in the third round.

August 23, 2014: Defeated Clay Collard

On August 23, 2014, Max Holloway faced promotional newcomer Clay Collard at UFC Fight Night 49, replacing Mirsad Bektic, and won via TKO in the third round.

October 4, 2014: Knocked Out Akira Corassani

On October 4, 2014, Max Holloway replaced Chan Sung Jung and faced Akira Corassani at UFC Fight Night 53, winning by knockout in the first round and earning his first Performance of the Night bonus.

2014: Separation from Kaimana Pa'aluhi

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

February 15, 2015: Defeated Cole Miller

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

April 18, 2015: Finished Cub Swanson

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

August 23, 2015: Defeated Charles Oliveira

On August 23, 2015, Max Holloway faced Charles Oliveira at UFC Fight Night 74, winning via TKO in the first round after Oliveira suffered a neck/shoulder injury. With this win, Holloway became the youngest UFC fighter to reach 10 wins.

December 12, 2015: Defeated Jeremy Stephens

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

June 4, 2016: Defeated Ricardo Lamas

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

December 10, 2016: Won Interim UFC Featherweight Championship

On December 10, 2016, Max Holloway faced Anthony Pettis at UFC 206 for the interim UFC Featherweight Championship. Pettis missed weight, making him ineligible for the title. Holloway won via TKO in the third round and earned a Performance of the Night bonus.

June 3, 2017: Unified UFC Featherweight Title

On June 3, 2017, at UFC 212, Max Holloway faced featherweight champion José Aldo in a title unification bout. Holloway defeated Aldo via TKO in the third round and earned his first Fight of the Night bonus.

October 4, 2017: Signed New UFC Deal

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

November 8, 2017: Frankie Edgar Withdraws from UFC 218

On November 8, 2017, Frankie Edgar withdrew from his scheduled fight against Max Holloway at UFC 218 due to injury.

December 2, 2017: Defeated José Aldo at UFC 218

On December 2, 2017, Max Holloway defended his UFC Featherweight belt against José Aldo at UFC 218, winning via TKO in the third round.

2017: Divorce from Kaimana Pa'aluhi

In 2017, Max Holloway divorced Kaimana Pa'aluhi.

February 3, 2018: Pulled Out of UFC 222

On February 3, 2018, Max Holloway was forced to pull out of his scheduled fight against Frankie Edgar at UFC 222 due to a leg injury.

March 3, 2018: Scheduled Bout

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

April 1, 2018: Accepted Short Notice Fight

On April 1, 2018, Max Holloway was announced as a late replacement for the injured Tony Ferguson to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov for the vacant undisputed UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 223.

April 7, 2018: Pulled from UFC 223

On April 7, 2018, at UFC 223, Max Holloway was pulled from the card by doctors due to a severe weight cut.

July 7, 2018: Pulled from UFC 226

On July 7, 2018, Max Holloway was scheduled to defend his title against Brian Ortega at UFC 226, but on July 4, Holloway was pulled from the fight due to "concussion like symptoms".

December 8, 2018: Defeated Brian Ortega

On December 8, 2018, Max Holloway defeated Brian Ortega at UFC 231 in Toronto via TKO at the end of the fourth round, earning Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night awards. He also set records for most significant strikes in a fight and most victories in UFC featherweight history.

July 27, 2019: Defended Featherweight Title Against Frankie Edgar

On July 27, 2019, Max Holloway defended his featherweight title for the third time against Frankie Edgar at UFC 240, winning by unanimous decision.

December 14, 2019: Lost Featherweight Title to Alexander Volkanovski

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

2019: Interim UFC Lightweight Championship Fight

In 2019, Max Holloway moved up to lightweight 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: Dominated Calvin Kattar at UFC on ABC 1

On January 16, 2021, Max Holloway faced Calvin Kattar at UFC on ABC 1, dominating for all 5 rounds and winning by unanimous decision. During the fight, Holloway set multiple UFC records and showboated, earning the Fight of the Night award.

June 17, 2021: Pulled out of Fight

On June 17, 2021, Max Holloway was forced to pull out of his scheduled fight with Yair Rodríguez due to injury.

July 17, 2021: Scheduled to Face Yair Rodríguez

On July 17, 2021, Max Holloway was scheduled to face Yair Rodríguez at UFC on ESPN 26. However, Holloway was forced to pull out of the fight with Rodríguez due to injury.

November 13, 2021: Defeated Yair Rodríguez

On November 13, 2021, Max Holloway faced Rodriguez at UFC Fight Night 197 and won the fight via unanimous decision, earning Fight of the Night award.

March 5, 2022: Pulled From Event Due to Injury

On March 5, 2022, Max Holloway was originally scheduled to face Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 272. However, a day after the fight announcement, Holloway was forced to pull from the event due to injury.

April 16, 2022: Marriage to Alessa Quizon

On April 16, 2022, Max Holloway married Alessa Quizon.

July 2, 2022: Lost to Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 276

On July 2, 2022, Max Holloway faced Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 276 in a trilogy bout, losing via unanimous decision.

April 15, 2023: Defeated Arnold Allen

On April 15, 2023, Max Holloway faced Arnold Allen at UFC on ESPN 44 and won the fight by unanimous decision.

August 26, 2023: Knocked Out Jung Chan-sung

On August 26, 2023, Max Holloway faced Jung Chan-sung at UFC Fight Night 225 and won the bout via knockout at the beginning of the third round, earning a Fight of the Night award.

April 13, 2024: Holloway vs Gaethje at UFC 300

On April 13, 2024, at UFC 300, Max Holloway faced Justin Gaethje in a lightweight bout for the "BMF" belt. Holloway won by knockout in the last second of round five, tying the record for the latest knockout win in UFC history. He earned a $300,000 Performance of the Night award and a $300,000 Fight of the Night award.

October 26, 2024: Holloway vs Topuria at UFC 308

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

February 2025: UFC History

As of February 2025, Max Holloway's fight against Calvin Kattar on January 16, 2021, is one of four bouts in UFC history to have a 50-42 scorecard.

February 2025: Holloway Permanently Moves to Lightweight

In February 2025, Holloway confirmed via Twitter that he will permanently stay at Lightweight.

July 1, 2025: UFC Rankings

As of July 1, 2025, Max Holloway is ranked #1 in the UFC featherweight division, #5 in the lightweight division, and #11 in the men's pound-for-pound rankings.

July 19, 2025: Holloway vs Poirier at UFC 318

On July 19, 2025, Holloway is scheduled to put his symbolic "BMF" belt on the line against Dustin Poirier in a trilogy bout at UFC 318, which will be Poirier's retirement bout.