Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight champion, outdoor enthusiast, and gamer Max Holloway sits down with Campfire Convos host James Palmer. In this episode, Max talks to James about growing up in tropical paradise, his biggest wins and losses as a fighter, and riding with the Blue Angels.
Hailing from Hawaii, Max Blessed Holloway has proven himself to be a true star in the UFC, defending his title multiple times. He and James discuss trash talk in boxing and how fighting is similar to the entertainment business. Holloway jokes about how his “never been knocked out” streak came to an end during his ride with the Blue Angels, a flight demonstration squad of the U.S. Navy.
Holloway has always loved nature and the great outdoors. He reminisces about the day he fearlessly climbed up a mountain when he was younger and swam in a river in the middle of an island storm. Today, he hosts his own YouTube series called “Hiker Holloway Surviving in the Wilderness, where he embarks on hiking adventures, often with his kids tagging along. His favorite kind of hikes are ones that end with a body of water to jump into.
Holloway is also well known for his philanthropy. He is a global ambassador for the Hawaii Foodbank and has his own e-commerce platform with a percentage of his post-fight merchandise sales being distributed to this worthy cause. He was also the 2021 recipient of the Forrest Griffin Community Award, which recognizes a UFC athlete for their volunteer and charity work. Holloway sets a positive example for how well-known athletes can use their platforms to raise awareness for charities and give back to the community.
Beyond his tough exterior, Holloway is heartfelt and humble, win or lose. He feels blessed to have his family in his corner, cheering him on, and tries to teach the value of respect and hard work to his kids. When asked about what his future after fighting might look like, the possibilities seemed endless, ranging from motivational speaking to a sports psychiatrist. Above all, he wants to help people be the best versions of themselves and attack the day.
