Free Fight! Kattar Stuns Stephens With Vicious Elbow

Calvin Kattar will look to insert himself right in the thick if the Featherweight championship race this Saturday night (Jan. 16, 2021) when he takes on former division champion, Max Holloway, in the main event of UFC Fight Island 7 on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Before “The Boston Finisher” takes on “Blessed” in what is sure-to-be an all-out striking battle, let’s take a trip back in time to see Kattar put his vicious striking on display.

Back in May of last year, Kattar faced Jeremy Stephens at UFC 249, Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) first event staged after an extended hiatus due to COVID-19. From the jump, it was clear both men were content with letting the action play out on the feet. And it was a given even before the fight began as Stephens has long had a reputation of being one of the hardest punchers in the game, while Kattar possess some of the most technical striking at 145 pounds.

Both men enjoyed some success on the feet early on, with “Lil Heathen” a bit more aggressive as usual, all while showing off an improved kicking game, as well as connecting on some solid shots to the body. With 30 seconds remaining in the opening frame, Kattar tagged Stephens with a beautiful straight right hand the had him reeling, though “Lil’ Heathen” was able to compose himself.

Round two was much of the same, with Stephens being the aggressor early on. But Kattar really started to find his rhythm. Halfway through round two, Kattar tagged Stephens with a perfectly-time elbow to the face, dropping him to the canvas. From there, “The Boston Finisher” pounced on his fallen foe to put an end to the fight with some nasty ground-and-pound.

Now, Kattar will look for the biggest win of his career against a former champion who is desperately trying to get back on track after suffering two straight losses.