Written by Kieran Green (@kierlfc12)
Max Holloway issued a huge statement to the Featherweight division last night, as he brutally dispatched Calvin Kattar at Fight Island.
The 29-year-old Hawaiian kickstarted the UFC’s 2021 campaign by putting in a performance of the year contender, providing the returning fans with an absolute spectacle as he unraveled his number-six ranked counterpart across five rounds.
The former champion’s stunning output throughout the fight ensured that his opponent was subjected to a horrendous beating, as he landed 445 of a staggering 744 attempted significant strikes.
Many were calling for the virtually one-sided fight to be stopped in the fourth round, with UFC president Dana White admitting that he was “freaking out a little bit” at what was happening infront of him inside the Etihad Arena.
Kattar showed incredible heart to miraculously survive the brutal Holloway onslaught and stay on his feet, whilst his opponent began to have a little too much fun, knowing full well that the fight was already won.
Holloway, who was somewhat irritated by pre-fight claims made of his opponent’s ability, began to tee off on Kattar, whilst looking over at the commentary desk and shouting “I’m the best boxer in the UFC baby!”
In clips that have since gone viral, the inspired Holloway can then be seen landing a clean jab and avoiding a heavy Kattar onslaught, before again shouting: “I’m the best boxer in the UFC.”
The sheer dominance of the number-one Featherweight contender was reflected in the decisions of all three judges after the bout, who scored the contest 50-43, 50-43, and 50-42 apiece.
Speaking after the fight, Holloway said: “As long as you can take it, I’m going to give it. As long as the ref lets you stay in there, I’m going to keep giving it. I was telling my coaches, I didn’t know I punched that much.
“I had him doing Mr Robot a bunch of times and he was still standing, so that just shows how much of a dog he is.
“Calvin’s a dog man, nothing but respect to him.”
It is now surely inevitable that Holloway should challenge for the belt in his next UFC outing, with all eyes in the division now looking forward to the Featherweight championship matchup between Brian Oretga and current holder Alexander Volkanovski that has been booked for March.
Holloway will certainly be lying in wait for the winner, with Dana White refusing to rule out another title shot for the man many consider to be the real Featherweight champion.
“Tonight he fought a bad dude that a lot of people thought was going to beat him, and he went out and treated him like number six.”
“He did what he needed to do in spectacular fashion tonight, and I think that he deserves to fight Volkanovski again.
“Volkanovski can’t even deny that Max deserves another shot.”