Max Holloway's First Golf Classic Banks $300K for Hawai'i Youth

Max Holloway just landed one of his biggest wins of 2026 without throwing a punch. The inaugural Max Holloway Golf Classic, held July 20 at Kapolei Golf Club, raised more than $300,000 for youth programs across Hawai'i — and the Foundation has already pushed $75,000 out the door to its first four recipient organizations.

That's a fast turnaround for a first-year event. Rather than let the money sit, the newly launched Max Holloway Foundation moved quickly to fund groups working with youth and families on the islands. Holloway said the idea started simply as a way to bring people together around something meaningful, and that watching the dollars reach local organizations so soon is what makes him proudest.

A Loaded Guest List

The tournament, hosted by Hawai'i broadcaster Rob DeMello, drew a serious roster of fight-game names. UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, who sits at 28-5 (21 KO) after stopping Ilia Topuria in the fourth round, showed up alongside Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier and former featherweight Cub Swanson. Add UFC commentator Jon Anik and former NFL Pro Bowl tight end Kyle Rudolph, and the field carried real pull.

Swanson, still active at 31-14 (15 KO) and coming off a first-round knockout of Nate Landwehr, is the kind of veteran presence who makes these events feel like a reunion rather than a photo op. The star power helped, but the local roots did the heavy lifting.

Hometown Muscle

The event leaned hard into Hawai'i's business community. 808 Puffs, Shiro's Saimin, Highway Inn, Alli's Fish Market, Zippy's, Melin and a long list of other local brands and sponsors chipped in, giving the day a distinctly island flavor rather than a generic corporate charity vibe. UFC, Chosen Advisory and Kapolei Golf Club served as presenting partners.

Holloway, currently ranked #4 at lightweight with a 28-9 record after his first-round knockout of Conor McGregor, has spent his whole career flying the Hawai'i flag inside the cage. This is that same energy pointed at his backyard. The Foundation is already planning a 2027 edition, aiming to build on the momentum and stretch the reach further.