Endurance and durability are revered attributes in combat sports, but this ability also comes at a cost.
On Saturday, at the UFC Fight Island 7 main event, Calvin Kattar showed all this and more while fighting for five rounds against Max Holloway while absorbing 445 significant jaw-dropping strokes over the course of 25 minutes.
The fourth round in particular became difficult to watch at times, as Holloway was just firing at Kattar, who refused to fall while eating a series of punches, kicks and elbows from the former featherweight champion.
Even UFC president Dana White was confused to watch the side of the cage while Kattar was trapped against the fence while Holloway just unloaded on him with a series of devastating combinations that would likely have ended up with most featherweight. In fact, White actually went to Kattar’s corner to talk to them when the fight was drawing to a close.
“I thought the fight should have been stopped in the fourth round,” said White on Saturday night. “I was freaking out a little. I said [to his coaches] he won’t stop and talk to anyone. We will take you straight to the ambulance and send you to the hospital.
“So I went up to him and said ‘you are so strong, what an amazing performance’ and he said ‘that’s not why I want to be known.’ He said ‘but I’m not going to back off from anyone’ and I said we are going to send you straight to the hospital now. I don’t want you talking to anyone or doing anything. He started laughing and found it funny. He’s in a good mood, his head is clear. “
There were several moments during the fourth round in particular, when the commentary team working on the UFC broadcast asked for the fight to be stopped, but Kattar refused to give up, although he somehow always found a way to survive.
Referee Herb Dean kept an eye on the action as he witnessed Kattar show an incredible heart to withstand some of those combinations unleashed by Holloway during the fight.
“I’m not the judge,” said White. “Herb Dean tonight was the guy who made that decision. I thought it should have been stopped in the fourth round. I hate to see a child continue to receive punishments like this. But he seems to be doing well, and as long as he’s doing well, that’s the referee’s job, not mine. “
From all the blows Kattar absorbed over the course of five rounds, White admitted that talking to the New England native after the event helped to calm his nerves about the decision to allow him to continue fighting until the end.
“Our interaction made me feel better,” said White. “Everything is fine and everything I’ve heard so far. These kinds of fights scare me.
“He was completely consistent, of course, speaking perfectly. But we caught him straight in an ambulance and he is going to be examined. “