Just nine days after pulling off a high-profile victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 329, former UFC Featherweight and BMF Champion Max “Blessed” Holloway swapped the canvas of the Octagon for the fairways of Oʻahu.

On Monday, at the picturesque Kapolei Golf Club, the Waianae native hosted the very first Max Holloway Foundation Golf Classic, a charitable event launched to raise support and resources for the youth of Hawaiʻi.

Established in 2025, the Max Holloway Foundation was built around a singular mission: providing long-term support for island keiki through investments in arts and education, health and fitness, and mental health awareness. For Holloway, creating a foundation was about translating his fame into a tangible resource for the community that raised him.

“The emotions are high,” Holloway shared while overlooking the greens. “This is better than any walk I’ve ever made to the Octagon, or any fight or any moment… At the end of the day, just me being able to give back to the people of Hawaiʻi, that’s what it’s about.”

Star-Studded Support on the Fairways

Holloway wasn’t alone in taking up the cause. The tournament brought out a star-studded lineup from the mixed martial arts world, uniting former rivals, hall-of-fame legends, and broadcast talent on the same green:

• Justin Gaethje: The former UFC Lightweight Champion, who famously engaged in a legendary, last-second brawl with Holloway at UFC 300, flew out to Oʻahu to participate. Making his first-ever trip to Hawaiʻi, Gaethje noted how meaningful it was to align with someone he once traded blows with. “It’s really cool to hang out with someone that I fought… I’ve always been a fan of Max, his fighting style, his personality,” Gaethje said.
• Daniel Cormier: The former two-division champion and UFC Hall of Famer voiced immense pride in watching Holloway’s growth into a community leader. “I’m so proud of this dude for what he’s become, and I’m just happy I can play a part in it, even if it’s a small part,” Cormier noted.
• Cub Swanson: The veteran UFC featherweight emphasized the camaraderie of the fight community off the clock: “I think it’s important for us fellow fighters to help each other out, especially when we’re doing good things for the community.”
• Jon Anik: UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik praised Holloway’s sportsmanship and reputation: “Max is dripping with class… he’s always been a sportsman. It’s hard to think back to any matchup he’s had where there’s really been bad blood.”

Investing in the Next Generation

Proceeds and fundraising efforts from the Golf Classic were directed toward local organizations that invest directly in young people, including Westside Striking, the Boys & Girls Club, and C-Rider Productions.

For Holloway, supporting programs like Westside Striking hits close to home. He spoke warmly about coach Keawe, who trains neighborhood kids for free and tirelessly fundraises to send them to combat sports competitions across the globe.

Reflecting on his own path growing up on the Westside of Oʻahu, Holloway pointed out that structured programs and mentorship are critical for keeping kids focused and ambitious.

“I was there. I was at that school. I was in a garage at Westside Striking,” Holloway recalled. “I still live on the Westside of Oʻahu. If I can do it, why not you? … Just showing them, ‘Look, with hard work you can get it done.’ Maybe one of these kids sits here years down the line and starts their own foundation.”

Looking Ahead

Even while steering golf carts and practicing swings on the range, the question of Holloway’s future in the Octagon remained in the air. Following a demanding 2026 fight schedule, Holloway indicated he plans to take his time before finalizing his next bout, with an eye toward early 2027.

When asked what his ideal scenario would be, Holloway grinned:

“Selfishly, if I had it my way, I’d fight for a title… Justin Gaethje, we have history, I know he wants to right a wrong. I would love to do that.”

For now, however, the focus remains firmly on the island. As the inaugural golf tournament wrapped up at Kapolei, Holloway made it clear that while title fights come and go, establishing a platform to elevate the next generation of Hawaiʻi’s youth is the work that leaves a lasting mark.