Pros React to the Revival of the Blessed Era Following Max Holloway’s Performance at UFC Fight Island 7

By
Justin Gibbons
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Calvin Kattar and Max Holloway, UFC Fight Island 7
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 17: (R-L) Max Holloway kicks Calvin Kattar in a featherweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island on January 17, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

The UFC’s matchmakers no doubt knew what they were doing when the booked Max Holloway against Calvin Kattar to kick off UFC Fight Island 7, the first card of the promotion’s 2021 year. Not to mention the UFC’s first card on ABC.

What played out was nothing short of incredible.

Max Holloway showed a drive to return to the win column and put his back-to-back losses against Alexander Volkanovski behind him. He looked to start the year off by placing the “Blessed Express” back on the track to title contention, hoping to leave Fight Island with a statement over a striking tactician like Kattar.

For Calvin Kattar, this had to be one of the biggest fights of his career. To have the opportunity to fight in a main event against a former champion is added motivation to get the job done and have your hand raised. Beating Holloway, who took the current champ the distance, would be a huge boost on the resume, and would leave no doubt that he is the next one in line for who ever emerges victorious between Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega.

Max Holloway’s volume and striking output made the difference, and he mixed up his strikes with diversity. Kattar was left waiting, trying to figure out the puzzle that Holloway was creating inside the Octagon. Pressure and volume of the the vicious strikes opened up a nasty cut on Kattar and it looked like Holloway had the finish at the end of the second – but Kattar was saved by the bell.

For Max Holloway, it no doubt felt great to hear the fans chant his name, and Bruce Buffer announce him as victor. But even better, he started up a revival of the Blessed Era.

Check below to see how the pros reacted to the UFC Fight Island 7 main event between Max Holloway and Calvin Kattar!

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