Paddy Holohan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Paddy Holohan
Holohan in 2019
South Dublin County Councillor
Incumbent
Assumed office 24 May 2019
Constituency	Tallaght South
Personal details
Born	Patrick Pearse Holohan (1988-05-03) 3 May 1988 (age 36) Tallaght, Ireland
Political party	Independent
Other political affiliations	Sinn Féin (2019-2021)
Other names	The Hooligan
Height	5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight	125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb)
Division	Bantamweight (2007–13), Flyweight (2014–2016)
Reach	69.0 in (175 cm)
Fighting out of	Dublin, Ireland
Team	SBG Ireland
Trainer	John Kavanagh
Rank	Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Tom King
Years active	2007–2016
Mixed martial arts record
Total	15
Wins	12
By knockout	1
By submission	8
By decision	3
Losses	2
By submission	1
By decision	1
Draws	1
last updated on: 18 July 2015

Patrick Pearse Holohan (born 3 May 1988) is an Irish politician and retired mixed martial artist who notably competed in the flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional MMA competitor from 2007 until his retirement in 2016, Holohan also competed for the promotion Cage Contender and was a competitor on The Ultimate Fighter 18.

Early and personal life

Holohan's mother was placed in a Magdalene Laundry before he was born following the loss of two previous children.

For part of his childhood Holohan resided with a maternal aunt in Belfast, Northern Ireland. During this time Holohan experienced the final years of the Troubles. Holohan's maternal grandfather was his father figure; his grandfather was a member of the Defence Forces and Holohan credits his grandfather with instilling in him discipline and morality.

Holohan became a father at age 19. He has two sons and two daughters. His eldest son is named Tiernan, after the Irish comedian Tommy Tiernan, whom Holohan credits with keeping his morale up during tough periods in his life. His son Séamus Patrick was born in 2018 and daughter Féile Éireann in 2021 and Ceóla Laragh in 2022 with his long-term partner Chelsea Hudson. The pair run their successful martial arts academy together Holohan Martial Arts. Holohan released an autobiography, Hooligan, in 2019.

Mixed martial arts career

After a successful career in Ireland where he compiled an undefeated 9-0-1 record, it was revealed in August 2013 that Holohan was selected to be a participant on The Ultimate Fighter 18. He faced Josh Hill for his fight to get in the house. Holohan was repeatedly taken down and had no answer for the top game of Hill and ended up losing by decision.

Holohan made his official promotional debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championship against Josh Sampo on 19 July 2014 at UFC Fight Night 46. Holohan won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission midway through the first round.

He was scheduled to face Louis Gaudinot on 4 October 2014 at UFC Fight Night 54. However, Gaudinot pulled out of the bout due to injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Chris Kelades. Holohan lost the fight via unanimous decision. The performance earned both participants Fight of the Night honours.

Holohan faced Shane Howell on 18 January 2015, at UFC Fight Night 59. He won via unanimous decision. He returned to the cage on 18 July 2015, to face Vaughan Lee on 18 July 2015 at UFC Fight Night 72. He won via unanimous decision.

Holohan next fought Louis Smolka on 24 October 2015 at UFC Fight Night 76. Holohan lost by second round submission after taking a series of shots and then giving up his back, opening a window for Smolka to lock in the rear naked choke for the victory.

Holohan was expected to face Willie Gates on 8 May 2016 at UFC Fight Night 87. However, on 25 April, he abruptly announced his retirement, citing Factor XIII deficiency, a rare blood disorder. He was replaced on the card by Yuta Sasaki.

Political career

Holohan was elected to South Dublin County Council for Sinn Féin at the 2019 local elections in May 2019.

Nomination for Mayor of South Dublin

On 26 June 2020 it was announced that Holohan's suspension from Sinn Féin had been recently lifted and he had been reinstated to the party. The same day as his suspension was lifted, he was nominated for the position of Mayor of South Dublin by members of South Dublin County Council, but was not elected. Sinn Féin were criticised for allowing the nomination to occur, and senior figures in the party such as Pearse Doherty and Eoin O'Broin called Holohan's nomination "regrettable" and "wrong". On 6 July Sinn Féin suspended their entire South West Dublin organisation as a result of the Holohan nomination, a suspension that will remain until an internal review on the nomination is completed.

Second disciplinary action and departure from Sinn Féin

In March 2021, Sinn Féin once again took disciplinary action against Holohan after Holohan refused a request to take down a Facebook post supporting a salon owner who reopened in breach of COVID-19 restrictions. Pearse Doherty explained the situation to the Irish Independent's Floating Voter podcast: "This fella made a comment, we told him that comment isn’t in keeping with the party’s view, we told him to withdraw it, he isn’t doing so, there’s a disciplinary procedure, the party will deal with that”.

Later that month, it was revealed that Holohan had chosen not to renew his party membership and was now an independent councillor.

Championships and accomplishments

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Chris Kelades

Mixed martial arts record

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

See also

• List of Irish UFC fighters
• List of current UFC fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists