Calvin Kattar is one of the top names in the Featherweight division. Kattar is looking to move up in the standings and get closer to a title shot when he returns to the UFC Octagon at the UFC Apex in January against Giga Chikadze. Kattar is coming off a loss, but he hopes to make his native New England proud with a win against Chikadze.
Kattar was born on March 26, 1988 in Methuen, Massachusetts where he also grew up. He had no experience in martial arts as a child but took to Wrestling at Methuen High School and became a standout on the High School team. He was ranked as high as fifth in the state at 160 pounds. Kattar placed fifth at the Division I MIAA state championships when he was a senior in High School. Due to the uncertainty of not knowing if he’d be able to compete at wrestling in college he took up MMA, and even trained with UFC stars Nate and Nick Diaz.
Kattar made his MMA debut in June of 2007 for the CZ 22 -Cage Masters promotion where he faced, Tony Armijo. He’d win in the first round via TKO(Punches.) He’d go on to face Donald Peters for the same promotion two months later and would again win by TKO(Punches.) Kattar would then face Bob Pupa and would win again via TKO (Submission to Punches.) These quick finishes gave Kattar the nickname “The Boston Finisher.” Kattar would lose his next fight but then win five in a row before dropping another one and winning eight after that. This impressive 16-2 record caught the attention of the UFC brass.
Kattar made his UFC debut against Andre Fili at UFC 214 in July of 2017 a full ten years and one month after making his MMA professional debut. He’d win by unanimous decision. Kattar would then face Shane Burgos at UFC 220 and would get the finish in his hometown of Boston via TKO(Punches.) He’d then fight Renato Carneiro and would lose via unanimous decision, his first loss for the promotion. He’d then win two fights in a row against Chris Fishgold and Ricardo Lamas both by TKO (Punches.) Kattar would then lose a bout against Zabit Magomedsharipov. He’d get back in the win column in consecutive bouts against Jeremy Stephens and Dan Ige but would drop his next fight to former featherweight champ Max Holloway.
Kattar is coming off a tough loss to the greatest Featherweight of all time, but we hope he returns to the win column against Chikadze.
MMA Aficionado 