LAS VEGAS – Loud and clear, it was a household affair for Kurt Holobaugh as he received Saturday at UFC on ESPN 60.
As Holobaugh (21-8 MMA, 2-5 UFC) defeated Kaynan Kruschewsky (15-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC) by unanimous resolution on the UFC Apex, his spouse and two sons had been very audibly rooting him on.’
“I can undoubtedly hear them and that’s how they’re within the health club after I’m sparring,” Holobaugh informed MMA Junkie and different reporters at a post-fight information convention Saturday. “My youngest son is at all times making an attempt to holler directions and to do spinning kicks and stuff like that. It’s at all times enjoyable, however I find it irresistible.”
Holobaugh stated it was the primary time his kids acquired to look at him struggle within the promotion from cage-side, because the promotion just lately applied a brand new coverage the place every fighter will get 4 cage-side seats for his or her struggle on the UFC Apex.
The household’s vitality stems from ardour for his or her father and husband, but additionally for the game. Holobaugh says his sons have been within the health club since earlier than they may stroll – actually.
“Our youngest, that’s our four-year-old,” Holobaugh stated. “Me and my spouse each personal two blended martial arts gyms. From the very first day he was born, we went again to work. So we introduced his crib to the health club. He’s within the health club each single day. He’s been coaching jiu-jitsu since he may actually stroll. There are movies on the market of him coaching jiu-jitsu when he simply began strolling. He’s nonetheless coaching jiu-jitsu and competing all around the world. He simply competed in Las Vegas a pair weeks in the past.”
Whereas Holobaugh is the primary of his surname to compete within the UFC, he will not be the final. Holobaugh’s 13-year-old son, Zayden, has already competed in eight youth MMA fights. His four-year-old son, Raiden, is a little bit of a TikTok sensation.
“All of my children struggle, even my 13-year-old. He has like eight fights contained in the cage already at 13 years outdated. However my four-year-old, being that he does a whole lot of competitions. We posted a video and it went viral. There have been fighters like Jon Jones and all the large names commenting on it. So he went TikTok well-known. He’s acquired like 30,000 followers on TikTok that every one observe his journey as effectively. That is simply one other large a part of his journey and it’s wonderful.”
It’s nonetheless years out from one other Holobaugh probably stepping foot contained in the UFC. So for now, Holobaugh goals to maintain making his kids the cool children at college.
“I feel it’s particular,” Holobaugh stated. “It’s as soon as in a lifetime alternatives for youths to do this. I really feel like because of this I like doing what I accomplish that a lot. It’s due to my children. I really feel like they get to be the cool children at college. They get to go to highschool and say, ‘Hey, my dad is within the UFC, or, ‘My dad simply received ‘The Final Fighter.’ He fights on TV.’ Now, my children get to truly come and watch a UFC occasion cageside, principally. What number of children at their faculty want they may even go to a UFC occasion. I really feel like we’re so blessed with these alternatives.”
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