Calvin Kattar aims to hand Max Holloway first KO loss, set up title shot in UFC on ABC 1 headliner

ABU DHABI – Calvin Kattar still considers Max Holloway to be the top featherweight in the sport, and thus a win over the former champion in the UFC on ABC 1 headliner would help his own case for that claim.

Holloway (21-6 MMA, 17-6 UFC), a former UFC titleholder at 145 pounds, is coming off a pair of close and somewhat controversial decision losses to current divisional kingpin Alexander Volkanovski. The nature of those fights have led many to argue “Blessed” is still the top dog in the division, and Kattar (22-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC) has a hard time disagreeing.

Kattar has said leading into the main event matchup that he thinks Holloway has perhaps put too much focus on the results of his fight with Volkanovski, and a potential third meeting down the line. That’s led him to feel slightly overlooked, and though Holloway said that’s not the case, Kattar further encouraged the Hawaiian not to make what he said would be a grave error.

“I’m not concerned how he feels,” Kattar told MMA Junkie on Monday. “I was just stating that people still consider him still the champ – rightfully so. But to focus on the current champ and not the future champ would be a mistake.”

UFC on ABC 1 takes place Saturday at Etihad Arena. The main card airs on ABC and ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN+.

For Kattar, the fight marks the third main event of his UFC tenure. He’s 1-1 in previous headliners. He lost to Zabit Magomedsharipov in October 2019 and beat Dan Ige in July 2020. The Boston native thinks his past experiences atop the card have groomed him for the moment, and he expects everything to accumulate perfectly going into the upcoming fight night.

“I don’t feel like the stage is too big or anything like that,” Kattar said. “I know I belong in these moments. (I had) just a little tactical error (in my first main event against Magomedsharipov). I cleaned it up with Jeremy (Stephens) and Ige, and now I have a big test ahead of me with Max Holloway, who is arguably one of the best featherweight fighters of all-time. It’s great to have these opportunities and just show where I stack up among the division’s best.”

Through eight UFC fights so far, Kattar’s power has been a proven difference-maker. His boxing poses a major threat to the competition, but in Holloway he meets one of the most durable fighters in UFC history. Holloway has never been finished by strikes and has gone 23 octagon appearances without being knocked down, which is a record-tying number.

Kattar said the knockout will be on his mind, and it would be the perfect exclamation mark on the biggest fight of his life.

“That’d be a nice way to write it up,” Kattar said. “I’m always looking to get the finish – every time I step in there, I’m looking to go for the kill. It’ll be no different stepping across from Max in there. It’s a great test and I’m excited. I’ve been ready all year long, and it couldn’t come at a better time.”

If Kattar gets his hand raised Saturday, he will have four victories in his past five fights and a strong claim to fight the winner of Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega, who are expected to meet in the next UFC featherweight title fight this year.

He said it’s difficult to agree with that notion, especially given Holloway’s decorated resume in the sport.

“Prior to this fight (being booked), I thought if you want a title shot you’ve got to go through Max to get it,” Kattar said. “I said that before I got the opportunity to fight him. Some people consider him still the champ. A win over him I think puts me next in line.”