Max Holloway: Record, Wife, Net Worth, and Knockout Loss

Few fighters in UFC history have combined volume and durability quite like Max Holloway. The former featherweight champion has built a reputation as one of the sport’s most exciting strikers, setting records for total significant strikes landed along the way.

Wins: 28 · Losses: 9 · Knockout Wins: 12 · UFC Titles: 5

A closer look at the numbers reveals a fighter whose career trajectory defies simple narratives.

What happened to Max Holloway?

Holloway’s career took a dramatic turn at UFC 300 in April 2024 when he knocked out Justin Gaethje in the final second of a “BMF” title fight, earning a $600,000 bonus package (Marca bonus report). The win revived interest in whether the 33-year-old can make another title run in a new division. He now competes as a lightweight, three years after losing his featherweight title reign.

Max Holloway’s personal life: wife, son, and net worth

• Marital status: Married to Alessa Yamada, with a son named Rush Holloway (Wikipedia personal life section)
• Net worth estimates: Celebrity Net Worth reports $5 million; Marca estimates $8-10 million in 2026 (Marca net worth analysis)
• Career earnings: Total purses have surpassed $12 million, per reports

The pattern: Holloway’s net worth is a moving target because fight purses, bonuses, and endorsement deals aren’t all public. The gap between $5 million (Celebrity Net Worth) and $10 million (Marca) reflects real uncertainty—and both ignore potential future earnings if he lands another title fight.

Has Max Holloway ever lost a fight?

Yes, nine times—but only one of those losses came by knockout. The rest were decisions, including three defeats to Alexander Volkanovski that defined his late featherweight career.

Who is the only person to knock out Max Holloway?

Dustin Poirier remains the sole fighter to finish Holloway by KO. Their first meeting came at Holloway’s UFC debut in 2010—a submission win for Poirier—but the knockout loss happened in their 2019 rematch at UFC 236, where Poirier won the interim lightweight title (Wikipedia fight history).

Who has 0 losses in UFC?

Several fighters retired undefeated in the UFC, most famously Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0) and Anderson Silva’s early UFC run. Undefeated champions include Khabib Nurmagomedov and Henry Cejudo (who retired with losses outside the UFC) (Wikipedia Khabib career page). Holloway’s nine losses put him in the middle tier among long-tenured fighters.

The pattern: Holloway’s nine losses all came against elite opposition—Poirier, Volkanovski, and Dustin Poirier again—which frames his record not as weakness but as the cost of fighting the best for over a decade.

Who is the hardest puncher in UFC history?

This question divides fans and analysts, but one name stands above the rest in expert surveys: Francis Ngannou.

The following table compares the top candidates.

The catch: “Hardest puncher” is subjective—it depends on weight class, opponent chin, and era. Ngannou’s freakish power at heavyweight makes him the consensus pick, but Lewis holds the numbers.

Who did Mike Tyson say was the hardest puncher?

Mike Tyson has repeatedly named Francis Ngannou as the hardest puncher he has ever seen, saying in interviews that Ngannou’s power is “unlike anything I’ve ever seen” (Wikipedia Ngannou profile). Other contenders for the hardest-puncher title include Derrick Lewis, who holds the UFC record for most knockouts, and Anthony Johnson, whose one-punch power ended several careers.

Who is the most feared UFC fighter ever?

Fear factor in MMA combines fighting ability, mystique, and intimidation. Two names dominate the discussion.

Who is the baddest UFC fighter of all time?

Jon Jones and Brock Lesnar are the most common answers. Jones, with a 27-1 record and dominant wins over champions across multiple divisions, has been called the “baddest man” in the sport (Wikipedia Jon Jones career). Lesnar’s short but explosive run included a heavyweight title, and his WWE persona amplified his tough-guy reputation.

The trade-off: “Most feared” and “baddest” aren’t synonyms. Jones inspires fear through technical prowess and a violent finishing rate; Lesnar inspires it through sheer physical presence and intimidation.

Who is the nicest UFC fighter of all time?

Several fighters have earned reputations for kindness and sportsmanship. Two stand out above the rest.

Who is the most boring fighter in the UFC?

Belal Muhammad has been tagged as the most boring fighter by fans and analysts due to his grinding, wrestling-heavy style that prioritizes control over finishing (Wikipedia Belal Muhammad).

Who is the most arrogant UFC fighter?

Conor McGregor is the most frequent answer—his trash talk, brash predictions, and “Mystic Mac” persona built a $100 million brand but also drew accusations of arrogance (Wikipedia Conor McGregor).

Timeline: Max Holloway’s career milestones

• 2010 — Professional debut (September 11); first UFC fight (loss to Dustin Poirier) (Fight Matrix career timeline)
• 2014-2019 — Undefeated at featherweight (14-0 run) (UFC official record)
• 2016 — Wins interim featherweight title
• 2017 — Unifies featherweight title by defeating Jose Aldo (Wikipedia title history)
• 2019 — Loses title to Alexander Volkanovski; also loses to Dustin Poirier by KO
• 2024 — Knockout win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 (UFC fight results)

“Best boxer in the UFC baby!”

— Max Holloway (Instagram post)

“[Francis Ngannou] is the hardest puncher I’ve ever seen.”

— Mike Tyson (public statements on Ngannou)

For fans tracking Holloway’s next move, the choice is clear: wait for a lightweight title eliminator or watch for a potential boxing crossover. Either path, his volume-striking legacy is secure—but the shadow of that single knockout loss will always define the what-if questions around his durability.

Related reading: Pat McAfee’s Suspension, $50M Net Worth, and WWE-ESPN Rise · Tony Hawk biography: Net worth, family, and ADHD insight

Frequently asked questions