The Honda Center in Anaheim, California played host to UFC 214 Cormier vs. Jones 2 on Saturday. The opening of the preliminary card saw Andre Fili face off with late replacement Calvin Kattar, after he stepped in for an injured Doo Ho Choi.
Team Alpha Male product Andre Fili entered Saturday coming off a unanimous decision win over Hacran Dias at UFC Fight Night: Lineker vs. Dodson after Dias missed weight. Fili came in looking to string together his first series of wins since entering the UFC.
A veteran outside the promotion, Calvin Kattar made his UFC debut Saturday and came in riding an eight fight winning streak with his most recent victory coming over Chris Foster by decision at CES MMA 38 back in September.
The first round saw Fili come out pushing the pace on his short notice opponent. Fili worked the jab and mixed in some low kicks that saw him maintain control of the center of the octagon. Kattar responded with his own jab and followed it with a left and right, missing the mark. Kattar’s confidence continued to grow throughout the round as he landed a strong right that was followed by a left to Fili’s body and a left over the top. Fili was quick to answer with his own left. Shortly after Fili slipped close to the fence and Kattar pounced taking top position and raining shots until the round ended
The second saw Kattar getting off first landing a right with Fili firing back a left in response. Fili tried to get his jab working, with Kattar stalking the fighter around the cage. Kattar looked like he might have been feeling the effects of taking short notice fight but he continued to engage Fili, landing a massive right that sent Fili retreating to end the round.
The final round saw Fili go back to the jab with Kattar firing back with a counter left. Kattar followed this with another left and a right. Fili did what he could to get back into the fight but after another strong right counter, Kattar began to press the fight. Fili responded with a flurry of shots, landing a stiff uppercut. Kattar undeterred fired back with a jumping round kick to the body. Fili then went to his kick, throwing a high kick that Kattar caught and drove Fili to the mat where Kattar was quick to follow dropping punches. The two scramble to their feet just before the round ends
Calvin Kattar def. Andre Fili by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
