New England Cartel coach Tyson Chartier has no doubt that [autotag]Calvin Kattar[/autotag] will bounce back stronger.
Kattar (22-5 MMA, 6-3 UFC), who was outclassed in a unanimous decision loss to former featherweight champion Max Holloway in the UFC on ABC 1 main event, endured plenty of damage but never stopped fighting.
Kattar received eight staples in his head, as well as suffered broken nose, but continued to fire back until the final horn. Many thought the fight could have been stopped sooner, but Chartier doesn’t regret letting it go to the end.
“It didn’t go our way Saturday night. But the world got to see what I’ve known for years, that this man will take a knee for nobody. He went five rounds with the best version of the featherweight goat that I’ve ever seen. He finished the 25th minute swinging and did it with a smile. To say I’m proud would be an understatement. I love this kid, I love these coaches, I love this team. Now it’s time to rest, heal, make some adjustments, and then come back better.
“To the critics who want to know why I didn’t stop the fight myself, I owe you no explanation. Unless you’ve sat in this seat you wouldn’t even understand it if I did. I will get back to Boston Friday and give Cals mother a hug and look her in the eyes and know with confidence that I did what was best for her son.
“There are levels to this game and we just felt the highest. Now we have to figure out how to get there.”
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Prior to the Holloway loss, Kattar had scored a knockout of Jeremy Stephens at UFC 249 in May, followed by a unanimous decision win over Dan Ige in July.
UFC on ABC 1 took place Saturday at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The main card simulcasted on ABC and ESPN+ after prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.
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