Calvin Kattar plans on staying ready in case someone pulls out of the upcoming featherweight title fight at UFC 273.
Fresh off his big win over the streaking Giga Chikadze at UFC on ESPN 32 in January, Kattar (23-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) plans on asking the UFC if he can be a reserve for Alexander Volkanovski’s title defense against Chan Sung Jung on April 9.
“In my head, I’m planning on (being) the replacement,” Kattar told Michael Bisping on the “Believe You Me” podcast. “It’s not happening yet, but they said they’re gonna let me know as a replacement for Volkanovski and ‘Zombie,’ so staying ready for that.”
He continued, “I’d like to. I mean, why not? It can’t hurt. I’m waiting to get an OK from the UFC. If that is the case, they’re gonna let me know in a certain timeframe. But once they do, if they let me know – and even if they don’t, in my head, it’s like try to chase that dog with a bone. If something happens, they’re gonna want me so keep my ass in the gym, stay ready. Just another reason to focus on it and get ready for something and have something to compete for.”
Volkanovski (23-1 MMA, 10-0 UFC) was originally slated to settle his trilogy with Max Holloway but drew “Korean Zombie” instead when Holloway was forced out due to injury.
Kattar didn’t side with one particular fighter but thinks Volkanovski likely retains his belt against Jung (17-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC).
“It’s not the fight that we asked for or wanted, but it’s the one we’re gonna get. Hopefully it pans out,” Kattar said. “I think it’ll make for an exciting matchup for sure. I don’t think those two guys could be in a fight without being exciting. You would think the champ, right? We’ll see what ‘Zombie’ does.”
Calvin Kattar wants to serve as backup for Alexander Volkanovski vs. ‘Korean Zombie’ at UFC 273