Finally, Calvin Kattar has reached UFC 249 fight week.
The rising featherweight contender will fight Jeremy Stephens Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla. This is not the first time Kattar (20-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC) has been scheduled booked to fight Stephens, as they had two dates prior to May 9, both of which got postponed due to coronavirus bans and restrictions.
As the event nears, Kattar was glad participate in the Thursday’s UFC 249 virtual media day, a milestone they weren’t able to reach before.
“It’s great. We’re finally (here),” Kattar told reporters. “Hopefully this thing kicks off without a hitch. No fights have been scratched closer to the fight but right now it’s a good checkpoint. We’re here and almost done.”
Kattar was last seen in action in November, where he dropped a unanimous decision to Zabit Magomedsharipov in Russia. His opponent, Stephens, is a looking to shake off a three-fight losing streak.
“He’s coming off some losses, he’s hungry, but it doesn’t take three to keep me hungry,” Kattar said. “I’m coming off that one (loss) in Russia, felt I ran out of time in that one and I’m eager to get back in there and pick off where I left off.”
Kattar’s fight is a great booking at featherweight, but given the number of fan-friendly matchups on the card, his bout is not getting as much attention as it might otherwise receive. Although this might be the case now, Kattar promises the chatter will change come fight night.
“I feel like I’ve been flying under the radar my whole career, but in this matchup most people know what they’re getting, and that’s why it’s not being addressed,”Kattar said. “Plus, let’s face it. That main event is pretty bad ass so we’re all excited about that one, so it can easily get overshadowed by that. But I think come fight night, we’ll get everyone out other seats, if not the venue, on the comfort of their own home.”
Third time's the charm: UFC 249's Calvin Kattar relieved to finally hit fight week checkpoint
