Chris Holdsworth
“Holds It Down”
Source: bjjheroes.comAn undefeated TUF winner who turned a stalled fighting career into coaching, then founded his own California academy.
Biography
Sources for this profile
BJJ Heroes, Chris Holdsworth, undated.(opens in a new tab)
Holdsworth was born in 1987 in Van Nuys, in Los Angeles, California.
Where in the source: Biography opening — “October 24, 1987”
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Holdsworth is also known by the nickname Holds It Down.
Where in the source: Profile facts — “Holds It Down”
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Holdsworth won the 2007 IBJJF No-Gi Worlds at purple belt; his listed senior successes include Grapplers Quest and its UFC Fan Expo event in 2009.
Where in the source: Achievements lists, purple-belt entry and the two Grapplers Quest entries — “2007 purple”
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Chris Holdsworth Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Chris Holdsworth instructor biography, undated.(opens in a new tab)
Holdsworth began jiu-jitsu with Patrick King in 2004, then received blue from Royce Gracie in 2005 and purple from Ryron and Rener Gracie in 2006.
Where in the source: Early training paragraph beneath the life-history heading — “Patrick King”
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At nineteen Holdsworth moved to Las Vegas for full-time training with Marc Laimon at Cobra Kai, alongside grapplers including Jeff Glover, Bill Cooper and Sim Go.
Where in the source: Life-history section, Las Vegas paragraph — “At 19”
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Marc Laimon promoted Holdsworth to black belt in 2009.
Where in the source: Life-history section, belt promotion paragraph — “in 2009”
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Holdsworth's academy currently lists him as a fourth-degree black belt.
Where in the source: Instructor credential beside the portrait — “4th degree”
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At Team Alpha Male, Holdsworth developed his striking with Master Thong and Duane Ludwig.
Where in the source: MMA section, coaches paragraph — “Master Thong”
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After leaving professional MMA undefeated, Holdsworth worked as a coach and cornerman for fighters including Cody Garbrandt, Chad Mendes, Josh Emmett and Paige VanZant, contributing to Garbrandt's championship preparation.
Where in the source: Coaching section — “Cody Garbrandt”
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Holdsworth founded his academy in Orangevale, California, in 2022. It offers jiu-jitsu and kickboxing to adults and children, including beginners.
Where in the source: Academy section, opening two paragraphs — “in 2022”
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Danny Acosta, Sherdog, Chris Holdsworth and the Uncertainty of Tomorrow: Waiting Game, 22 September 2015.(opens in a new tab)
Holdsworth recalled wanting to train at the Gracie Academy in Torrance after seeing Gracie challenge material. His father drove him across Los Angeles during their limited time together after his parents' divorce; Holdsworth described gratitude for that sacrifice.
Where in the source: Family-history section — “Understanding Sacrifice”
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Holdsworth won the men's bantamweight tournament on The Ultimate Fighter 18 in November 2013, then beat Chico Camus by decision at UFC 173 on 24 May 2014.
Where in the source: Opening chronology, immediately before the first inset photograph — “May 24, 2014”
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By September 2015 persistent concussion symptoms had kept Holdsworth from fighting for sixteen months. He continued visiting the gym, teaching and cornering athletes including Paige VanZant and Lance Palmer; he said helping others kept him connected to martial arts.
Where in the source: Opening absence discussion and subsequent teaching paragraphs — “16 months”
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Thomas Gerbasi, UFC, For Holdsworth, The Only Direction is Up, 22 May 2014.(opens in a new tab)
Holdsworth's brother died when he was eight, and he experienced bullying. In a 2014 interview he credited his parents' Buddhist practice and emphasis on treating people well with helping him learn from difficulties.
Where in the source: Middle of interview, discussion of family and childhood — “born into Buddhism”
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In 2014 Holdsworth described a finishing-oriented approach: he sought chokes or armlocks as soon as opportunities appeared. He also said observing experienced teammates including Urijah Faber and Chad Mendes had prepared him for the attention and media obligations of UFC competition.
Where in the source: First teammate discussion and closing technical comments — “I always look for the finish”
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Danny Acosta, Sherdog, Chris Holdsworth and the Uncertainty of Tomorrow: Staying Upbeat, 22 September 2015.(opens in a new tab)
After training in Las Vegas and working with Team Takedown, Holdsworth found it difficult to obtain fights. An offer of free accommodation from Eric Triliegi helped bring him to Team Alpha Male in Northern California in 2011.
Where in the source: Opening career paragraph, accommodation offer — “free room and board”
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In 2015 Holdsworth said his earlier habit of sparring five or six days weekly reflected how little he understood head trauma. He reported symptoms before his Ultimate Fighter victory and another concussion while preparing for Camus, and said he had avoided sparring for two months before that bout.
Where in the source: Middle discussion of training volume and the Camus preparation — “five or six days a week”
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Revisiting his Camus fight, Holdsworth said fear of further injury had discouraged him from attempting submissions. He described the time away as emotionally difficult, while arguing for better concussion education and more considered training.
Where in the source: Camus reflection and the following account of time away — “wasn’t going for submissions”
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Dave Doyle, MMA Fighting, Still sidelined, Chris Holdsworth finds purpose as Team Alpha Male coach, 21 February 2016.(opens in a new tab)
By February 2016 Holdsworth had become an assistant coach at Team Alpha Male alongside Justin Buchholz and Danny Castillo. He described leading three weekly fighter jiu-jitsu classes, also attended by some gym members, and analysing upcoming opponents' fights.
Where in the source: Central coaching-role interview answer — “three classes a week”
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Holdsworth said he had enjoyed teaching before placing it aside to concentrate on fighting. Accepting that he might not compete again improved his outlook, and he wanted to pass on his competitive experience through coaching.
Where in the source: Opening account of accepting an uncertain future and teaching discussion — “something to offer”
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