Mark Holst

Background

Mark started training for kick boxing matches at seventeen. He began in MMA with Karate, Boxing and Kickboxing with 23-time world champion Jean-Yves Thériault.

When he received his black belt in shotokan karate, he decided it was time to move on to different martial arts, and began training Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai at Ottawa Academy of Martial Arts.

Mark has made several trips to traveled Thailand for Muay Thai and to Brazil for BJJ. He has spent time with Greg Jackson's, Renzo Gracie in New York and with the Ricardo Almeida New Jersey team. He trained with high performance coach Neil Miron at MLXCT. He also trains at the well-known Montreal Wrestling Club, which is where UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre also trains.

Early career

In January 2006, Mark turned pro in MMA, earning himself a reputation for his strong striking skills. He would also continue to compete in Muay Thai/kickboxing and BJJ as well. His first MMA fight was against Shane Savage, where Mark won via TKO in the first round.

He has since became known for finishing many of his opponents quickly in his MMA fights, all in the first or second round. His nickname, "Boots" was given to him by his head coach Pat Cooligan because of his tendency to use kicks and his overall striking ability.

After obtaining a 5–0 record, Mark lost his first fight against Martin Grandmont via knockout, a fight he was dominating until getting caught by a crushing right hand from Grandmont. In addition to his striking background, he has also garnered many submission wins; Mark's most notable submission is over The Ultimate Fighter 5 veteran, Corey Hill. Mark won via second round submission, winning him the XKL Lightweight Championship. After the win, he was signed to the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Holst made his UFC debut against John Gunderson on June 19, 2010, at The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Finale, replacing Paul Taylor.^[1] In what became a grappling contest, Gunderson controlled Holst for the majority of the fight, and Holst consequently lost via unanimous decision.^[2] Despite losing, Holst demonstrated very good submission defense and guard retention, and he was soon awarded his purple belt in BJJ.

Holst's next bout was against UFC newcomer Paul Sass at UFC 120 in London, England.^[3] He lost the fight via submission due to a triangle choke in the first round, and was subsequently released by the UFC.^[4]

Post-UFC and retirement/hiatus from MMA

Holst's next MMA fight was planned as welterweight bout against fellow Canadian thaiboxer Markhaile ‘Showtime’ Wedderburn in Gatineau, QC at the Casino de Hull for Wreck MMA. The fight became a catch-weight bout as Wedderburn failed make 170 pounds. Holst won the fight via Rear Naked Choke with only seconds remaining in the second round. He suffered a boxer's fracture during the fight.

Holst revealed on January 15, 2011 that after the fight with Wedderburn he would "retire from MMA" to open a martial arts school with his coach and mentor Pat Cooligan. His rationale is that he wants to spend more time managing and coaching his students, and he also plans to return to BJJ and Muay Thai/Kickboxing competition as he originally did, to "take a step back and work on [his] weaknesses." However, he does not rule out returning to MMA in the later future, and even expressed interest in a rematch with Nabil Khatib if the fight is offered to him.

Holst decided to end his retirement after only one year, and fought Stephane Lamarche at WRECK MMA "Road to Glory," scheduled for April 20, 2012.^[5] Holst defeated Lamarche by submission due to a kimura.

Holst returned to 155 lbs to challenge Nova Uniao BJJ black belt and highly decorated jiu-jitsu competitor Leonardo Santos. He lost the fight due to technical submission in the first round. After opening up quickly on the feet, Holst was taken down to the floor, had his guard passed and was quickly caught in an arm triangle choke. Holst lost consciousness seconds after.

Holst moved up in weight again to rematch with fellow Ottawa-based MMA fighter Nabil Khatib. Their first fight, which is recorded as a submission loss for Khatib, was controversial as the referee ended the match despite Khatib not tapping. Khatib had been asking for a rematch since then, and got it at WRECK MMA: Final Stand on November 9, 2012. This time, there was no controversy as Holst controlled the majority of the fight, landing a variety of strikes at will. Despite absorbing tremendous punishment, Khatib gamely swung back until the end. After the match, Holst praised Khatib's toughness. Khatib has since retired from MMA competition.

Holst stepped in to face fellow Canadian Matt MacGrath, on January 19, 2013 at Elite1 MMA: Unstoppable in a Welterweight bout. Originally, MacGrath was tapped for a Welterweight championship bout, but his opponent was forced out of the bout due to a knee injury. Ironically enough, both Holst's and MacGrath's previous bouts were Wins against Nabil Khatib. Holst lost however, as MacGrath was able to use his superior Wrestling and Judo to dominate him en route to a Unanimous Decision(29-28,29-28,29-28) victory.

Holst took on Richie Whitson at Wreck MMA on March 28 at a catchweight of 160 lbs.^[6] Holst won by submission.

He lost to Cosmo Alexandre via unanimous decision in the main event of Lion Fight 15 in Ledyard, Connecticut on May 23, 2014.^[7][8][9]