CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Even though featherweight Calvin Kattar sold luxury 14 boxes and “a couple hundred tickets” for UFC on ESPN 6, he won’t be fighting.
Originally scheduled to fight Zabit Magomedsharipov on Friday, Kattar (20-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) was pulled from the card when the Russian withdrew due to a blood infection.
While at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas, Kattar ran into Magomedsharipov and his manager, Ali Abdelaziz. Shortly thereafter, Kattar was informed of the withdrawal.
“I don’t know if I’d say something or not if he spoke English,” Kattar told MMA Junkie. “But I knew he didn’t, so I just gave him the head down nod – a firm look at him and his manager.
“At that point, I didn’t realize he was out there trying to get his (expletive) squared away so he can compete. Turns out he got a blood infection – a rare one, which somehow heals in three weeks.”
No other options were presented to Kattar as a replacement, but he’s fine with that. Magomedsharipov is the fight he wants and the fight he thinks makes sense. The situation’s upside outweighs the downside. Kattar isn’t doubting Magomedsharipov will show up on fight night.
“Good to hear he’s ready to go for Moscow,” Kattar said. “I’m just happy I got the fight that the fans from Boston paid to see. I accounted for 14 suites and a couple hundred tickets. I’ll be damned if they don’t get the fight that they paid for.”
The bout was rebooked for Nov. 9 at UFC on ESPN+ 21 in Moscow. Once primed to be the hometown hero in the matchup, Kattar now will be the outsider. Compared to Boston, the reception he expects to get in Russia will be night and day.
“Going to the other side of the world, we’re pulling some ‘Rocky IV’ (expletive),” Kattar said. “It’s exciting. I’m living a movie now. ‘Rocky IV’ is coming to life. He’s traveling, too. He’s from Jersey, too. It’s a little bit more of a homecoming for him, so I’m sure he’s better received there.
“… At the end of the day, they’ll be booing me on the way in, but I’ll have them cheering for me by the end of the night.”
Five opponents have tried to hand Magomedsharipov his first promotional loss and all have failed in the attempt, but Kattar thinks he’s cracked the code. He credits his manager and coach, Tyson Chartier, with developing a strategic game plan that he believes will hand the Russian his first UFC loss.
“I just (expletive) bring it,” Kattar said. “I see it going down where he’s being patient and doing his methodical (expletive), but I just want to punch with bad intentions. Worst case, I always like to see my hand get raised.
“With Zabit, he poses a lot of options, a lot of threats. But I feel like we’ll be ready for anything he throws at us. Let’s see how he does with the things I throw at him.”
For now, Kattar plans on enjoying Friday’s fights and supporting various teammates who are fighting at home. From Joe Lauzon to Randy Costa to Kyle Bochniak, UFC on ESPN 6 has no shortage of local flavor.
“A lot of Boston talent is on this card. I’m just trying to go out and support the guys – the local guys who I’ve been training with for the last decade,” Kattar said. “Seeing them go out and compete will be enjoyable.
“It will be bittersweet knowing I wanted to headline that card with the guys, taking on the No. 5 (featherweight) in the world. But it looks like we’re going to take that fight at a later date now in Russia. I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of stuff to look forward to for that bout.”
UFC on ESPN 6 takes place Friday at TD Garden in Boston. The card airs on ESPN2.
Calvin Kattar expects 'bittersweet' UFC on ESPN 6 after Zabit Magomedsharipov withdrawal
