Latest news with #CalvinKattar
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Calvin Kattar issues statement on UFC Nashville loss after breaking foot early
A post shared by calvinkattar (@calvinkattar) Calvin Kattar had to battle through some early adversity at UFC on ESPN 70. Kattar (23-9 MMA, 7-7 UFC) lost a unanimous decision to Steve Garcia (17-5 MMA, 6-2 UFC) in their featherweight bout this past Saturday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Once on the cusp of title contention, Kattar now has lost five fights in a row. The 37-year-old took to Instagram to open up on the loss, revealing that he injured his foot badly in Round 1. "Thankful for my family, team and those that came out or tuned in to the fight," Kattar wrote. "Pushed through a lot just to get to the fight and even more when it started. Broke my foot in the first round in two places but content that I was able to make it through to the end even though came up short. Congrats to my opponent on top 15, well earned. Time for some recovery." Kattar hasn't won a fight since defeating Giga Chikadze in the UFC on ESPN 32 main event in January 2022. He holds notable wins over Dan Ige, Jeremy Stephens and Ricardo Lamas.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Calvin Kattar vs. Steve Garcia prediction, pick, start time for UFC on ESPN 70
Calvin Kattar and Steve Garcia meet Saturday on the main card of UFC on ESPN 70 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. Last event: 2-3 Advertisement UFC main cards, 2025: 64-48-1 Calvin Kattar vs. Steve Garcia UFC on ESPN 70 preview Kattar (23-9 MMA, 7-7 UFC) needs to snap out of the worst stretch of his career, as he enters on a four-fight skid. The last victory for Kattar, 37, came against Giga Chikadze in January 2022. Since then, he has recorded losses against Josh Emmett, Arnold Allen, Aljamain Sterling and Youssef Zalal – which is a very strong lineup of opposition. ... Conversely, Garcia (17-5 MMA, 6-2 UFC) comes in hot on a five-fight winning streak, all by stoppage. On his current run, Garcia finished Chase Hooper, Shaylian Nuerdanbieke, Melquizael Costa, Seung Woo Choi and Kyle Nelson. Calvin Kattar vs. Steve Garcia UFC on ESPN 70 expert pick, prediction Despite the UFC matchmakers continually dropping the ball on their card formats, I guess I should just be grateful that they at least go the best fights on the main card – and this battle between Calvin Kattar and Steve Garcia is one of them. Advertisement Although some very defensible caveats contextualize some of Kattars losses in this latest losing streak, there's no denying that New England Cartel alum has been missing more than a step in recent years. Garcia, on the other hand, has been on a borderline all-time knockout streak after knocking out his opponent in his last five fights, earning MMA Junkie's Under the Radar Fighter of the Year. Outside of being a dangerous southpaw, Garcia is also one of the few fighters who can match Kattar in the elbow department. Both men have deceptively experienced regional runs and have never shied away from wars, but I believe that Kattar, despite his notorious durability, is undeniably the man with more years and mileage in this matchup – and that could bode badly for him. Advertisement Moreover, Kattar, who officially stands at 0-1 opposite UFC-level lefties (losing to Arnold Allen), has traditionally struggled with southpaw kicks and crosses due to his boxing-centric guard and stance. It's an undeniable step up for Garcia, but I'll stick with the "Mean Machine" as a youth pick in this potential crossroads fight. The pick is Garcia to force a stoppage via strikes by Round 2. Calvin Kattar vs. Steve Garcia UFC on ESPN 70 odds The oddsmakers and the public slightly favor the younger fighter, listing Garcia -150 and Kattar +118 via FanDuel. Calvin Kattar vs. Steve Garcia UFC on ESPN 70 start time, how to watch Kattar and Garcia are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 10:40 p.m. ET. The fight broadcasts live on ESPN and ESPN+. Advertisement This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Nashville: Calvin Kattar vs. Steve Garcia prediction, pick, time
USA Today
15-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal preview, odds, start time for UFC Fight Night 251
Calvin Kattar and Youssef Zalal meet in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 251. The featherweight bout takes place Saturday, Feb. 15, at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Check out this quick preview of the matchup. Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal UFC Fight Night 251 preview Kattar (23-8 MMA, 7-6 UFC) seeks to end a three-fight skid. Before this current stretch, Kattar never lost back-to-back fights. His last win came in a unanimous decision against Giga Chikadze in January 2022. Since then, Kattar lost a split decision to Josh Emmett, suffered a knee injury causing a TKO loss to Arnold Allen, and most recently, dropped a unanimous decision to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 300. Zalal (16-5-1 MMA, 6-3-1 UFC) has been on fire since rejoining the UFC last March. After dropping three straight, followed by a draw, Zalal was released in 2022. He picked up three wins on the regional scene to earn another shot in the UFC and has finished three consecutive opponents. Billy Quarantillo, Jarno Errens and Jack Shore were all finished by 'The Moroccan Devil' no later than the second round. Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal UFC Fight Night 251 rankings Kattar is currently ranked No. 10 in the UFC's official featherweight rankings. Zalal is unranked. Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal UFC Fight Night 251 odds The oddsmakers and the pubic heavily favor the Moroccan fighter, listing Zalal -480 and Kattar +350 via FanDuel. Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal UFC Fight Night 251 walkout time, how to watch Kattar and Zalal are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 8:40 p.m. ET. The fight will stream on ESPN+. For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 251.
USA Today
13-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Calvin Kattar entering UFC Fight Night 251 without feeling pressure of three-fight losing skid
LAS VEGAS – Calvin Kattar may be in the midst of the worst stretch of his professional MMA career, but it makes no difference to him. Kattar (23-8 MMA, 7-6 UFC) returns to action in the featherweight co-feature of UFC Fight Night 251 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, where he will look to end a three-fight losing skid. Standing in his way will be Youssef Zalal, who has won three straight since rejoining the UFC last year. Despite his recent stretch, Kattar enters this fight confident, and isn't dwelling on the outcomes of the fights against Josh Emmett, Arnold Allen and Aljamain Sterling. 'Definitely not the way we want things going,' Kattar told reporters at Wednesday's media day. 'I mean, I don't want to beat a dead horse, but I thought I won that first fight of the three with Emmett. Then the way things worked with Allen with the knee, just unfortunate. I feel like that fight didn't even happen. Lost a fight to a former champ, and all of a sudden here we are, 0-3, you know? 'Not the way you want to write it up, but it's dangerous kind of focusing too much behind you and too far ahead of you. Right now, we got Youssel Zalal on Saturday. Tough opponent, four-fight win streak – that's not easy to do in the UFC. Definitely deserving of a top 10, top 15 challenge, and I'm ready to go out and give him a fight come Saturday night.' Kattar's last victory came by way of unanimous decision over Giga Chikadze in January 2022. He was an underdog at the betting window for that matchup, and is in the same position against Zalal (16-5-1 MMA, 6-3-1 UFC), albiet at a much larger number. For Kattar, this fight is about proving he belongs among the top 145-pound fighters in the world, and doesn't care if he has to fight someone further down the ladder to re-establish himself. 'I don't give a f*ck about that,' Kattar said. '… Because everybody's tough. I just don't care either way. A fight's a fight, you know? I don't care who it is, who it's against. Give me some time for it, I'll be happy for that. It doesn't always happen, but for this one we got time. 'I'm not getting any younger, and it's about testing myself and proving to myself that I belong in the top of the divison. These guys are just an opportunity for me to do that. I don't care who it is, kind of where they stack up – I let the manager kind of deal with all of that sh*t. I just focus on beating the guy in front of me every time.' For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 251.
USA Today
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Youssef Zalal sees Pikachu parallels ahead of Calvin Kattar at UFC Fight Night 251
LAS VEGAS – Youssef Zalal appreciates where he's at. Just like many others, he's baffled by what he's been able to accomplish in the past 12 months. One year ago, Zalal (16-5-1 MMA, 6-3-1 UFC) wasn't on the UFC roster. Saturday, he co-headlines UFC Fight Night 251 vs. perennial contender Calvin Kattar (23-8 MMA, 7-6 UFC). 'We should write a book about that,' Zalal told reporters including MMA Junkie at a pre-fight news conference Wednesday. 'That's how crazy this is. To be honest, it's such a blessing in a grateful way that 11 months ago, I was not even in the UFC. To be back and fighting the No. 10 and to go out there in the co-main event spot and to go out there and really show all that stuff, that's why I say in all my speeches, 'Hamdulillah.' It's a blessing that I can't even tell you about it. I knew how good I am, and I knew how good I'm capable of and all that stuff, but obviously, everything happens for a reason. I'm happy for where my journey is going, and I can't wait to see what comes ahead.' In a world where trash talk gains attention and social media followers, Zalal took the opposite route as he spoke about Kattar. He heaped respect and praise onto Kattar, who has battled the likes of Max Holloway, Aljamain Sterling, Renato Moicano, and Zabit Magomedsharipov among others. 'I said, 'Say what?' I was like, 'What did you say?'' Zalal said, of what his initial reaction was. '(My manager) said, 'Calvin Kattar.' I said, 'Holy f*ck, I have to take a moment.' I was like, 'Bro, are we talking about the same guy I've been watching for the last f*cking four years of my life.' He said, 'Yes.' I'm like, 'F*ck yeah, I'll take that.' My inner child lost it, bro, just to fight a legend like that and go against him. I'm preparing for the best Calvin Kattar to ever do. I'm excited, man. I'm excited.' Despite only having three fights since his UFC return, Zalal is a moderate, approaching heavy, favorite against Kattar. So what's the big advantage? Zalal compared himself to a Pokemon to explain. 'You get my little Pikachu ass in there, like a little quick guy,' Zalal said. 'I'm definitely excited to see what he brings. I feel like his back is against the wall a little bit. I'm just grateful for the opportunity that he's allowing to give a ranked guy an opportunity. I feel like this is the hurt business. We're in this business to either win or lose. I feel like I match up really well with him. I bring a different I.Q. than most of these fighters. I really do believe that. I'm excited to show it on Saturday night.' 'I'm a little high energy guy and sh*t like that. I feel like most of these fighters just be all alone and sh*t. Bro, this is exciting. This is what I chose to do in life. I'm trying to change my goddamn life. This is awesome and I get to do it with my people and I get to do it in front of the world? Hell yeah, man. Pikachu is just high energy and f*cking electricity a little bit. I'll bring some electricity in this game a little bit.' For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 251.
