Paddy Holohan

In 2020, Holohan was criticised for comments he made about the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. On Holohan's podcast "Paddy Holohan's No Shame Podcast", in an interview with Terry McMahon on 7 January 2020, Holohan criticized the Taoiseach, and accused the Taoiseach 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. Holohan stated that Varadkar's passion for Ireland does not go back to the times when "our" (meaning full Irish ancestry) goes back to Gaelic Ireland. Holohan claims that Varadkar would have instead be raised "on stories of the rebellion in India, in the idea of fighting the English there, and Gandhi and all these other stories.", despite the fact the Varadakar's maternal lineage is Irish. 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".

On 16 January, as 2020 Irish general election campaign was underway, Holohan was called upon by his party to apologize for his remarks in regard to Varadkar's Indian heritage and Holohan's family man comments.

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

Holohan did so later the same day, issuing the following statement on Twitter "Hi all, I would like to take a minute to address comments that were made on my podcast. Firstly I would like to apologise as my comments may have offended people as I of course did not intend to do so. My comments have been misinterpreted and not in anyway meant the way they have been portrayed. Thank you to the people that know me and have supported me. And understand that I would never make such remarks." In response, Leo Varadkar accepted the apology from Holohan, stating "I understand that he has apologised in the last few hours and you know that’s good enough for me" and "I think if somebody makes a remark that they regret and they apologise and they withdraw it, I think that should be accepted". Sinn Féin party leader Mary Lou McDonald also stated that she was satisfied with the apology.

On 17 January, it emerged that Holohan made comments regarding the alleged use of sexual extortion by underage girls on his podcast. 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 he had been suspended from the party and was to face disciplinary procedures.

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.

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

Holohan faced Shane Howell on 18 January 2015, at UFC Fight Night 59. He won via unanimous decision.

Holohan faced Vaughan Lee on 18 July 2015 at UFC Fight Night 72. He won via unanimous decision.

Holohan faced 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 made his official promotional debut 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.

Holohan 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.

After a successful career in Ireland, 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.

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