Max Holloway is among the greatest featherweights to ever enter an octagon. ‘Blessed’ has been a fan-favorite in the promotion for over a decade. For being one of the most dangerous people in the world, Holloway is remarkably laid back and down-to-earth.

Along with his innate disposition, some amount of credit for his placid nature should undoubtedly go to his Hawaiian roots and Samoan ancestry. The 32-year-old is gearing up to move up a weight class and face #2 ranked Justin Gaethje for the latter’s BMF title on the UFC 300 mega-card on Saturday. Ahead of his second sojourn at 155 pounds, let us take a look at his family and background.

Max Holloway’s ethnicity and nationality

Max Holloway was born in 1991 in Honolulu on the picturesque island of Hawaii. ‘Blessed’ comes from mixed native Hawaiian and Samoan ancestry, and is quite proud of his roots. As a Hawaiian, Holloway, of course, holds an American nationality. But, his home island holds a special place in his heart.

He has, on many occasions, chosen to fight under the Hawaiian flag rather than the US flag as a way to honor the archipelago he hails from. Holloway grew up in the area of Waianae, which is famous throughout the islands for its culture of fist fighting, and this undoubtedly shaped his warrior spirit.

The native Hawaiians, who are indigenous Polynesians, emphasize the values of love, peace, and mutual understanding encompassed in the famous Hawaiian word, ‘Aloha’. And Holloway seems to have inherited all of these values as he is one of the most respectful and humble fighters in the UFC, which has no shortage of laid-back and down-to-earth fighters.

Samoan culture, on the other hand, emphasizes loyalty, family, respect, and serving one’s community. And these values, too, are quite apparent in Holloway, who got emotional talking about the devastating wildfire in Hawaii last year. In addition, his commitment to family is apparent in the way he treats his mother.

Who were Max Holloway’s parents

Max Holloway was born to Mark Holloway and Missy Kapoi in a dysfunctional home. Unfortunately, ‘Blessed’ had to face significant challenges and hardships growing up in their home. This is because both his parents were heavy drug users, which most likely affected his childhood.

His father, Mark, was not a big part of Max’s childhood. Along with being a drug addict, Mark Holloway abandoned Max and his mother when ‘Blessed’ was just 11 years old. This, of course, left the fighter adrift at a crucial part of his life. And Max had to navigate his formative years and teen without the guiding presence of his father.

The 32-year-old’s relationship with his mother, a former crystal meth user, is a lot more amicable. However, despite the severe hardship he must have gone through growing up in such a dysfunctional home, ‘Blessed’ seemingly holds no resentment for his mother and loves her very much.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Holloway’s mother, who successfully kicked her drug habit, always accompanied her son wherever he fought. In fact, his mother and son, Rush, would join ‘Blessed’ in the octagon every time he won in a sort of post-victory celebration ritual.

Max Holloway, despite the adverse circumstances he grew up in, defied the odds and leads a clean, sober lifestyle and has not even failed a USADA drug test in his UFC career. Some credit, undoubtedly, goes to Max for finding martial arts. The former featherweight champion started training in kickboxing at the age of 15 and entered the UFC as a 19-year-old in the same class as Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor, who were promising but unknown prospects at that time.

Right from the beginning, the Hawaiian’s mother has been there to witness all his great and notable achievements, including his evolution into a UFC champion. While Max’s father may not be in the picture anymore, ‘Blessed’ has an exceptional relationship with his mother, and has grown up to be a role model for his own son.

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