From: officialflagrant
Max Holloway’s identity as a fighter is deeply intertwined with his Hawaiian roots and the unique culture of Waianae, Oahu [00:56:06]. He emphasizes that he was “born and raised out there,” attending Waianae Elementary, Intermediate, and High School [01:10:07]. This upbringing fostered a particular worldview that shaped his approach to combat sports.
Early Life and the Fighting Spirit
Holloway describes Waianae as a very specific part of Hawaii, noting that it’s “the only part that’s not gentrified at all” [01:07:09]. He characterizes the people as incredibly welcoming if treated with kindness, but quick to react to attitude [02:18:20]. This duality of being “the kindest, sweetest, most welcoming people that also will fight” is a notable aspect of Hawaiian culture [07:05:07].
Holloway’s own fighting journey began not from being a “fighter in school,” but from a desire to protect himself [09:55:04]. He compares Waianae High School to the “first UFC Gym” due to the prevalent fighting culture [09:53:07]. His first amateur fight came just two days after his first training session, a decision driven by the desire to get free admission to fights, as paying $35 to watch was more daunting than fighting himself [10:33:07].
The Hawaiian Martial Art of Lua
The inherent fighting spirit in Hawaii is deeply rooted in its history. Holloway explains that “back in the day,” Hawaiian culture involved a lot of hand-to-hand combat, as they didn’t have weapons until colonization [07:30:00]. This history is reflected in the traditional Hawaiian martial art called Lua [07:49:03]. Holloway describes Lua as “very grungy,” involving techniques like “grabbing sand, grabbing testicles and twisting and pulling up” [07:58:00]. He also notes that historically, Hawaiian women were also warriors who fought on the front lines [08:30:08].
Training Philosophy: Homegrown Talent
Unlike many fighters who relocate to major MMA gyms on the mainland, Holloway has chosen to remain in Waianae [03:58:19]. He and his wife even moved “deeper into Waianae” [04:06:01]. This decision was a direct challenge to the common belief that one must move to the mainland to achieve a high level in combat sports [36:38:00]. He argues that all one needs is “a good bunch of guys that’s willing to learn, willing to train” with a shared end goal [36:46:00].
Holloway recounts a sparring experience with Jeremy Stephens on the mainland, where he realized that the training was “just like any gym in Hawaii” [37:32:00]. This experience reinforced his belief that top-tier training is achievable at home. His confidence stems from knowing he can compete anywhere, whether striking or on the ground [18:36:00], seeing it as a mental game [01:01:31].
During the pandemic, Holloway famously trained via Zoom, running sprints outside his house and utilizing a friend’s mat for drills [33:41:00]. He even incorporated movements and combinations he learned from playing the UFC 2 video game into his actual training [35:00:00].
Community Pride and Proving Doubters Wrong
Holloway’s dedication to staying in Waianae is fueled by a desire to prove people wrong [38:43:00]. He identifies with the “egotistical” nature of people from Waianae who want to show they can fight [38:30:00]. He initially felt “victimized” and “owed something” because of his background, but eventually realized that success requires hard work [38:51:00].
He actively works with the Boys & Girls Club in Waianae, hoping to open a gym facility to inspire the next generation [39:18:18]. He uses his own story—going from a “hooded kid” who “always got into trouble” to a successful fighter—to show kids that “it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish” [39:45:00].
Despite his superstardom, Holloway remains grounded. He doesn’t display his championship belts around his house because he is “still fighting” and wants to remain focused on future goals [01:03:45]. This mindset reflects a continuous grind rather than resting on past achievements [01:03:59].
Maintaining Connection
Holloway feels a strong sense of pride seeing other Hawaiians succeed [05:22:00]. He particularly admires Iam Tongi, the American Idol winner, calling him “the reincarnation of brother Iz” and believing his voice is special [00:49:09]. This sense of shared identity and support for local talent is a testament to the community-oriented spirit of Hawaii.
His fight walkout song is “Hawaiian Kickboxer” by a local artist named Monkey Boy, whose father was the janitor at Holloway’s elementary school [01:06:13]. Holloway is adamant about not changing the song, reinforcing his pride in his roots [01:06:41].
While he enjoys traveling, Holloway maintains that no place can compare to the beauty of Hawaii [02:30:00]. His deep connection to his home informs his approach to fighting and his life outside the octagon.