Former UFC featherweight champion [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] is working to get Hawaii back on its feet from the coronavirus pandemic.
Holloway (21-5 MMA, 17-5 UFC) will headline the “All 4 Hawaii Challenge,” which he is promoting to help generate donations to the Maui Food Bank and Hawaii Food Bank.
The contributions won’t come without potential benefit. Each donation, which start as low as $10, will be paired with a raffle entry. The winner of the raffle (along with four friends) will receive the opportunity to participate in a private training session with Holloway, receive signed gloves and have dinner with one of the sport’s most decorated fighters.
“Unemployment in Hawaii is near 40 percent, and because our economy is based on tourism, it looks like it’s going to be a long road to recovery,” Holloway told UFC.com. “We also got a very high cost of living here, so a lot of people are hurting. The reason why I signed up for this is that the proceeds go directly to the food banks, and the food banks really, really need the help right now.
“If you enter for my experience, you get a chance to train with me in MMA or self-defense, you can bring some friends with you. I’ll give you autographed gloves, and then we’re going to go eat dinner at one of the best places in Hawaii.”
The window for donations closes May 31.
Holloway has never been shy to take a step forward for the Hawaiian people. He represents his state at every possible opportunity and has a history of speaking out on certain issues.
With the coronavirus pandemic having hit the islands hard, Holloway said his focus is getting the community back to strength. That means his efforts will go beyond just this project.
“There’s a lot of needs in Hawaii and all over the world, really, but right now the focus for my team is on the basic needs for Hawaii people, which is food,” Holloway said. “When the food banks tell us they’re good, then we will pivot into helping other areas. But right now, we need to make sure people can continue to eat during these tough times.”
Holloway hasn’t competed since losing the UFC featherweight belt to Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 245 in December. The pair were expected to rematch on June 6 in Australia, but then the COVID-19 crisis hit, forcing the UFC to adjust its plans and postpone the contest.
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