New England Cartel coach Tyson Chartier sees two UFC titles – and title defenses – for team in 2021

ABU DHABI – New England Cartel coach Tyson Chartier had a breakthrough year in 2020, but he predicts that will merely serve as groundwork for an even bigger year in 2021.

Chartier was named co-winner of MMA Junkie’s “Coach of the Year,” primarily for his work with standout pupils Calvin Kattar and Rob Font, both of whom rose into the top five of the UFC’s featherweight and bantamweight divisions, respectfully.

Both of his star students are looking at title contention in the coming year, and Chartier has hopes for them both not only claim gold over the next 12 months, but defend it, too.

“We’re trying to get two belts, but we’re not even looking forward to that – we’re looking forward to defending the belts,” Chartier told MMA Junkie on Monday. “These guys want to stay active, and the belts have always been the goal – but we always change the goal. The goal now isn’t just to win a belt. We want to start to start thinking about how we’re going to defend them.”

The path to accomplishing that goal starts Saturday with Kattar (22-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC) set to meet former featherweight titleholder Max Holloway (21-6 MMA, 17-6 UFC) in the main event of UFC on ABC 1, which takes place at Etihad Arena and airs on ABC and ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN+.

If Kattar is able to emerge victorious over “Blessed,” then Chartier said it would be hard to deny him a crack at the 145-pound strap.

“I don’t think there’s anybody that could use common sense and say that if we go beat Max Holloway that we don’t deserve a title shot – on a three-fight win streak, finishing probably the greatest of all time in the featherweight division,” Chartier said.

On deck after Chartier is Font (18-4 MMA, 8-3 UFC), who broke into the top tier of the 135-pound division in December when he knocked out former WSOF champ and UFC title challenger Marlon Moraes inside the first round.

Font is looking to fight T.J. Dillashaw (16-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) next in the ex-champ’s return from a doping suspension – which expires this month – and Chartier thinks that’s a matchup that would validate Font as the No. 1 contender in his division, too.

“The reality is T.J. did cheat,” Chartier said. “He’s going to come back from that and reap what he sowed. He shouldn’t be able to call the shots now. He came back, he made a mistake, he owned up to it, he paid his time – and I’ll give him credit for that. He shouldn’t be in a position to call any shots. He should have to fight whoever they put in front of him to earn his way back. I think that should be Rob Font.”