Max Holloway, the former UFC featherweight champion, is not just a great fighter, but also a humanitarian. He was recently selected as the recipient of the 2021 Forrest Griffin Community Award. UFC made the announcement ahead of his fight against Yair Rodriguez at UFC Fight Night 197.

The award is presented to a UFC athlete for their exceptional volunteer and charity work and the meaningful impact their efforts have on the community. The award is named after the former UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin. Holloway will receive a $25,000 donation to the charity of his choice.

‘Blessed’ was grateful for the award and said, “It means a lot, man. I told them, why you guys gotta do this to me on fight week. It took me back to my very first fight, where Bruce Buffer was announcing my name. I felt weak in the knees.”

“This award is not a trophy I can hold over my head. This is a responsibility that I put on my shoulders,” he added.

Holloway was given the award for his visits to military bases, children’s hospitals, etc. throughout the United States. He also partnered with the UFC to visit Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, the only pediatric children’s hospital in the state of Nevada. He handed out toys to the patients there.

Additionally, During the COVID-19 pandemic, he has been helping out with community response and has helped raise money for the Hawaii Foodbanks.

ALSO READ – “UFC Don’t Have a Tournament Structure” – Max Holloway on His Matchmaking

Max Holloway will be in action this week

While being presented with an award might come as a surprise to him, Holloway needs to be prepared for his fight. The number 1 ranked featherweight will take on the tricky Yair Rodriguez.

Holloway will enter the octagon for the first time since January 2021, when he beat Calvin Kattar. ‘Blessed’ would be looking to put on an impressive performance against an opponent who is known for his explosiveness. A win in the fight, all but guarantees a title shot for both fighters, so there’s a lot at stake here.

‘El Pantera‘ believes that the fight will go long, but he will finish Max Holloway on Saturday.

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What do you make of Holloway’s humanitarian work? How do you see the fight between him and Rodriguez going? Let us know your thoughts!

WATCH THIS STORY – UFC Fight Night: Max Holloway vs. Yair Rodriguez: Date, Time, Live Stream, and More