Paddy Holohan


Patrick "Paddy" Holohan 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. 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 with his partner Chelsea Hudson.

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.
In an interview with Terry McMahon on 7 January 2020 on "Paddy Holohan's No Shame Podcast, Holohan criticized the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, accusing him of not understanding the society of Ireland and the history of Ireland, and being detached from the classes of Ireland, due to his father and grandfather's Indian ethnicity. Holohan stated that when he was growing up, he was raised on stories by his own grandfather about the history of Ireland, and said that Varadkar would have instead been raised "on stories of the rebellion in India, in the idea of fighting the English there, and Gandhi and all these other stories." Holohan also stated he would like the leader of the country to be a "family man," and to know "what it is like to have kids," in reference to Varadkar's homosexuality. On 16 January, as the 2020 Irish general election campaign was underway, Holohan was called upon by his party to apologize for his remarks. He issued an apology later the same day. In response, Varadkar accepted the apology, stating "I understand that he has apologised in the last few hours and you know that’s good enough for me." Sinn Féin party leader Mary Lou McDonald also stated that she was satisfied with the apology and there would be no further action needed.
On 17 January, it emerged that Holohan had made comments on his podcast regarding the alleged use of sexual extortion by underage girls, whereby he claimed he had been told that teenage girls were deliberately targeting men, engaging in sexual relationships and recording evidence of same, and then threatening them with extortion of up to €10,000. Mary Lou McDonald described the comments as “beyond offensive, I actually find them upsetting”. She announced that “I have moved immediately to the party’s disciplinary procedures, and disciplinary action will be taken”. Sinn Féin announced that afternoon that Holohan had been suspended from the party and was to face disciplinary procedures.
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.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

ResultRecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss0–1Josh HillDecision The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate4 September 2013 25:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesElimination bout