Former UFC featherweight champion and UFC Vegas 42 headliner Max Holloway received the honor of the 2021 Forrest Griffin Community Award on Wednesday.

The Toyo Tires-sponsored award recognizes a UFC fighter for “exceptional volunteer and charity work and the meaningful impact their efforts have on the community” and is directly chosen by UFC President Dana White.

Holloway participated in extensive community service and philanthropy efforts including visiting terminally-ill children, raising money for those in need in his native Hawaii, and collaborating with major charitable organizations of myriad causes.

Max Holloway wins 2021 Forrest Griffin community award

“Max is not only an amazing athlete, but he’s also a great role model who enjoys giving back to his community… Max does a great job of setting a positive example of how athletes can use their platforms to raise awareness for charities while helping those who are less fortunate. It’s an honor to present him with this award,” White said in a statement.

In addition to the honor itself, Holloway will receive a $25,000 donation to the charity of his choice courtesy of the award’s sponsor.

In a press release heralding Holloway’ getting the award, the UFC noted that Holloway raised “a total of $50,000 to fight food insecurity across the Hawaiian Islands” by hosting a digital fundraiser in which a top donor received a private training session and dinner with the future UFC Hall of Famer.

Holloway also became an ambassador for the Hawaii Foodbank, auctioning off one of his fight kits for over $20,000 and donating a portion of all merchandise sold on his personal website to the food bank.

Holloway returns to action since his record-setting January win over Calvin Kattar this Saturday to face third-ranked contender Yair Rodriguez in a main event matchup.

–Field Level Media