Holloway has edge in UFC’s battle of the network stars
Saturday’s UFC Fight Island 7 from Abu Dhabi will be broadcast live on ABC, which is a monumental accomplishment for the organization. The slate is scheduled to begin at noon on ESPN+, with the main card airing on ABC at 3 p.m. This is the first of three productions in eight days.
It has been three weeks without elbows, ankle locks or knockouts, but finally our wait is over. Let’s dig right in.
Max Holloway -165 vs. Calvin Kattar +140, featherweight (145 pounds), main event
The sixth-ranked Kattar is a uniquely skilled fighter who relies primarily on his boxing. He is large for the division at 5-foot-11, and his 72-inch reach will provide a 3-inch arm reach advantage.
Kattar steps well up in class for this bout against the former champion, and he’ll look to press this fight and force engagement from Holloway. Kattar is best when walking opponents down and backing them up, which allows him to work off his piston jab. Kattar has tremendous precision striking coupled with profuse power. He must be respected.
Holloway enters as the No. 1-ranked contender, though many believe an unfavorable decision in his last outing cost him an opportunity to regain his title. In Holloway’s mind and the minds of many in the MMA community, a win here almost ensures another shot at the title. So Holloway has much on the line in this bout.
The younger man by three years, Holloway has been in the octagon with the absolute best fighters at 145 and 155 pounds. His body of competition, his vast experience and his championship pedigree make him a deserved favorite in a fight that looks to be ultracompetitive.
Holloway utilizes aggressive forward pressure combined with a vast array of arm and leg striking. He might not have Kattar’s power, but he surely has a championship arsenal of offensive and defensive weaponry to go with the mental savvy to survive any threat. Holloway will need to account for Kattar’s size and power, for Kattar has similar fight dynamics to Dustin Poirier, who bested Holloway at 155 pounds at UFC 143 in 2012.
Holloway’s past five fights have been five-round, championship-level bouts, so we know he’s conditioned to go 25 minutes. The question that must be asked is: Have those wars taken anything away from Holloway?
The UFC matchmakers deserve kudos for selecting these two warriors for this ABC exposure. In essence, they’ve paired the most aggressive predators in all their divisions to display to the network audience. Both men will march forcefully to the center of the octagon to engage with one another, and this won’t be a pinochle game!
Holloway opened -190 vs. Kattar +160, and despite Holloway’s résumé, Kattar is getting bet. I think the bookmakers got this line correct at opening. Holloway’s experience and more diverse arsenal will win this fight via decision, as I handicap it.