ABU DHABI – Did Calvin Kattar hesitate to accept a UFC “Fight Island” opportunity vs. Dan Ige? “Hell no.”
While many fans were surprised he accepted a fight vs. a lower-ranked opponent, Kattar (21-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC) was eager to sign the contract, the featherweight contender said at a UFC on ESPN 13 pre-fight media day Monday.
“Main event? Fight Island? Hesitation? Hell no,” Kattar told MMA Junkie.
The fight against Ige (14-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) is Kattar’s second UFC main event, but his first five-rounder. It’ll also mark the second time Kattar has competed in 2020. He’s setting out to go 3-0 this year and is already one-third of the way there after he defeated Jeremy Stephens by knockout in his most recent outing at UFC 249 in May.
“I wanted to have a busy year this year, especially the way I finished off last year in November,” Kattar said. “I want to go 3-0 this year. I took a little late start. We were supposed to fight in March, then April, then it turned out May. A quick turnaround puts me right back on schedule. That’s it. I’m happy to have a big opportunity here – main event, Dan Ige. I got the green light from my manager and we took it. We jumped.”
Kattar, 32, said he respects what Ige brings to the cage. The Hawaiian fighter has won six straight fights, defeating Edson Barboza in his most recent fight in May.
“Yeah, he’s a tough kid, man,” Kattar said. “He’s done what he’s had to do to the last six guys. I think we’re similar in the fact we’ve both been overlooked most of our careers. Here we are, (a) main event (on) ‘Fight Island.’ I’m not like the last six guys he’s fought. I won’t overlook him. He’s got my full attention. Come Wednesday, I’m going to take him out.”
Kattar is unamused by the talk among the top UFC featherweights. He said he thinks activity will give him an edge in an otherwise stagnant top six. Not overlooking Ige, Kattar thinks his name will be thrown in the title conversation at 145 pounds with a victory.
“You’re damn, right,” Kattar said. “They’re all talking.
“… Dan Ige has my full attention. A win over him puts me in that mix, where if you want to fight, you’ve got to stay busy. If there’s one thing I’ve shown, it’s that.”
UFC on ESPN 13 takes place Wednesday at Flash Forum on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The event airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
Despite rankings, Calvin Kattar didn't hesitate to accept UFC on ESPN 13 fight vs. Dan Ige
