Former England cricketer reveals taking up cage fighting to feed family and come out of bankruptcy

Published - 22 Nov 2025, 12:41 IST | Updated - 22 Nov 2025, 13:06 IST

Former England and Surrey captain Adam Hollioake, who briefly led the national side during the 1997 Sharjah Cup, has revealed that he turned to cage fighting after going bankrupt in 2010. The financial crisis, he admitted, was not sudden but built up gradually over time, ultimately forcing him into an entirely different career path.

Hollioake last appeared on a cricket field in 2004, concluding a successful stint with Surrey, where he played 173 first-class matches after making his debut in 1996. At the international level, the all-rounder represented England in 35 ODIs, scoring 606 runs and claiming 32 wickets. While his international career may not have been as illustrious, Hollioake remained a prominent and respected figure of his era before embarking on the life-altering journey that led him from cricket to the cage-fighting arena.

"All of a sudden, from having all the money I needed and the accolades of being an England captain and everyone doing everything for me, there I was, 40 years old, trying to look after my kids and not knowing how I was going to be able to pay my rent or any bills that came in," Hollioake told the PCA magazine.

Hollioake’s confession offers a stark look at the downfall of a once-celebrated English captain who turned to charity work after retiring from cricket 21 years ago. Despite possessing a strong property portfolio that could have supported him comfortably, the former cricketer found himself bankrupt following the global property crash of 2008.

He had relied heavily on his company, the Hollioake Group, for his post-retirement financial security. However, a lawsuit eventually led to the company’s liquidation, leaving behind debts amounting to nearly £13 million. In a desperate bid to support his family, Hollioake turned to combat sports, stepping into the professional boxing circuit in Brisbane in 2011. He later transitioned into mixed martial arts and cage fighting, using the earnings to keep his household afloat.

"Stepping into a cage and fighting another man is nothing compared to the fear of not being able to look after your family. For me that is the scariest thing I have ever been through. It's been one hell of a ride, and it's been pretty scary," Hollioake said.

Notably, Hollioake hung up his boxing gloves in 2017 and transitioned into coaching roles. He served as a batting coach for Pakistan during their 2023 tour of Australia, marking his return to high-level cricket involvement. A year later, he rejoined Surrey as an assistant coach. In December 2024, Hollioake took another major step in his post-playing career by signing a three-year deal with Kent, where he assumed the role of head coach.