Max Holloway is back. After consecutive loses to UFC men's featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, the former champ defeated Calvin Kattar at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to get closer to another title opportunity.
Holloway dominated from the start and had Kattar in trouble before the second round ended. While Kattar was able to land his right hand in the third, Holloway's left jab, feints and body shots were too much for Kattar to overcome. Round 4 was all Holloway, punishing Kattar with right elbows, uppercuts and brutal body punches. And while Kattar survived to hear the final bell, Holloway got the nod from all three judges 50-43, 50-43 and 50-42.
The fight was the main event of the first UFC card to ever air on ABC and delivered as promised, and both fighters earned the respect of their peers on social media.
Daaaaamn!! #UFCFightIsland7
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) January 16, 2021
That performance was absolutely incredible. Congrats @BlessedMMA !!
— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) January 16, 2021
You can't fake it in this sport! You either have it in you or you don't! @CalvinKattar is as tough as they come keep your head held high! Congrats @BlessedMMA you looked phenomenal on a very tough hungry opponent. @ABCNetwork @ufc
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) January 16, 2021
That was an impressive performance. I'm a fan of both men. That was by far the best Max I've seen in the octagon. The featherweight division is so good. 🙌🏽 #UFCFightIsland7
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) January 16, 2021
What a 5 round beat down! @BlessedMMA Best boxer in the @ufc #hollowayshow @Jon_Anik #gamer #ufcfightisland @danawhite
— Aspen Ladd (@TheAspenLadd) January 16, 2021
BOTH GUYS ARE BEASTS WOW!!
— The Golden Boy (@edmenshahbazyan) January 16, 2021
Singular greatest performance I've ever seen sitting Octagonside. #UFConABC1
— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) January 16, 2021
Kattar Will never be the same fighter Max Holloway just took a piece of his soul!
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) January 16, 2021
The work rate of these guys sets the bar. @ufc @maxholloway @CalvinKattar
— Dominick Cruz (@DominickCruz) January 16, 2021
Kattars a warrior
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) January 16, 2021
Max is a savage!!! Blessed Express showing there are levels to this 😲 #UFCFightIsland7
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) January 16, 2021
Truly inspired. Beautiful performance.
— Sean O'Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) January 16, 2021
You gota love this sport! Thank you @BlessedMMA @CalvinKattar 🔥🙏🏻
— Kai Kara France (@kaikarafrance) January 16, 2021
Double bonus 💰
— Dan "50k" Ige (@Dynamitedan808) January 16, 2021
Further evidence, @BlessedMMA is the best featherweight to ever do it.
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) January 16, 2021
Holloway snapped😨😨
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) January 16, 2021
.@CalvinKattar leaving part of his soul in the ring tonight for the fans with @BlessedMMA
How about that for a first @ufc fight on @ABC !!!!! Great job all
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) January 16, 2021