Max Holloway hands Calvin Kattar a five-round beatdown at UFC Fight Island 7

In the main event of UFC Fight Island 7, we had a massive featherweight contest between Max Holloway (21-6) and Calvin Kattar (22-4). Holloway was fighting in his first non-title fight since 2016 in the main event.

The former UFC featherweight champion was looking to get back on track having lost two in a row. Granted both of those losses came against the current champion, Alexander Volkanovski (22-4).

While the majority believed Holloway deserved an immediate rematch after their second fight, the UFC decided to have both guys move on for now. So Holloway decided to take this matchup against The Boston Finisher.

Calvin Kattar had a sensational 2020. He scored a huge knockout over Jeremy Stephens then he won the second headliner on Fight Island against Dan Ige. If Kattar was to pickup a win over Holloway, he believed it would earn him a title shot. 

UFC Fight Island 7 Recap

Round 1

The UFC Fight Island 7 main event got underway with a couple of quick hooks from Holloway. Kattar got his striking started with a low calf kick on the former champion. Kattar landed a stiff jab and followed it with another low kick.

Holloway then pushed forward and landed a clean combination of his own. Both men exchanged leg kicks, but Holloway was being much more active with his hands. Kattar landed another solid jab, but Holloway came in and landed another crisp combination after.

Halfway through the round and the former UFC champion was really putting the pressure on Kattar. Holloway was mixing it up extremely well going low and high. Kattar landed a couple of clean right hands over the top on Holloway with 90 seconds left in the round.

Holloway responded by throwing another good combination. Kattar was doing a good job of landing low kicks, but Holloway was really lighting him up with combinations in the first. Holloway looked much quicker in the first round.

Holloway then landed a flush spinning back kick to the body and followed it with his hands. Kattar landed some good shots, but the first round was all Holloway.

Round 2

The second round started and Kattar immediately was looking more aggressive. However, Holloway was countering well then went right back on the attack. Holloway was starting to have some fun in the second round.

Kattar was waiting too much and he was taking a lot of shots from Holloway as a result. Holloway was throwing everything from kicks to knees to hands in the second. However, a clean right hand from Kattar staggered Holloway momentarily.

Holloway seemed to recover well and went right back on the attack. Halfway through the round and the former UFC champion continued landing clean combinations. However, Kattar was landing more as the round went on.

Two minutes left in the round and Holloway unloads a big combination. Kattar took it well, but he was looking overwhelmed by the former UFC champion. Kattar just had no room to breathe in this one.

Holloway stepped in and wobbled Kattar with a massive elbow. Holloway then followed up with a vicious combination, but Kattar wouldn’t go away. Kattar was busted wide open and he tried to clinch with Holloway. Another massive elbow for the former UFC champ. Dominant round two for Holloway.

Round 3

Kattar looked really busted up as the third round started, but he was game. Holloway went right back to work with combinations as the round started. The former UFC champion was completely lighting Calvin Kattar up in the third round.

Kattar clinched with Holloway trying to slow down the onslaught in the third. Holloway separated and started landing again. However, Kattar landed a massive uppercut that stopped Holloway in his tracks. Both men then exchanged massive power shots.

Two minutes into the round and the former UFC champion landed a solid one-two down the middle. Holloway then landed a big body kick and a huge uppercut behind it. Kattar was game though but he was busted up bad.

Kattar then landed a massive overhand right on Holloway. However, Holloway continued to walk him down. Holloway ripped to the body with 90 seconds left in the round. Kattar tried to time Holloway for a big shot, but he whiffed and ate a combination for his troubles.

Holloway’s pressure was relentless and with under a minute left he ripped another massive combination. Kattar was getting no room to breathe and continued to eat big shots from the former UFC champion. Three dominant rounds in the books for Max Holloway.

Round 4

The fourth round started and again, the former UFC champion went right back to work. Kattar missed on a right hand and ate four shots after he missed. Holloway really was working the body early in the fourth round.

Kattar was whipping hooks, but Holloway’s head movement looked incredible. Holloway pressed forward and landed another big combination 90 seconds into the round. Kattar did land a really good left hook on Holloway, but the former UFC champ seemed unphased.

Three minutes left in the round and Holloway had Kattar pressed against the fence. Holloway started unleashing massive shots and Kattar was in deep trouble. Kattar was whipping shots trying to fight back, but he was getting beat down.

Two minutes left in the round and Holloway looked moments away from a finish. The body shots were doing so much damage to Kattar. However, Kattar wasn’t backing up and he was still fighting.

Holloway was actually looking a little tired and Kattar landed a big overhand right that backed up the former UFC champion. Kattar missed on a combination and Holloway landed with a clean headkick to close the round. Four to nothing in dominant fashion for Max Holloway.

Round 5

Entering the final round and Kattar was needing a miracle at UFC Fight Island 7. The two men touched gloves to start things in the fifth round. Holloway went right back to work with his combinations and ripped another shot to the body.

Kattar was still throwing heat, however, he wasn’t landing. A minute into the round and Holloway started working his jab. Holloway landed a clean right that wobbled the legs of Calvin Kattar.

The former UFC champion broke the nose of Kattar with another clean combination. Max Holloway was putting on a clinic in this one. Kattar threw back a couple of shots and did land and Holloway smiled.

Two minutes left and Holloway continued to press forward throwing shots. Holloway then lands a no look right hand and yells at Kattar that he’s the best boxer in the UFC. Kattar did land a shot, but then ate several clean shots from Holloway.

Holloway was talking mad trash in the final minute and was beating down Calvin Kattar. Thirty seconds left and Kattar threw some big shots but nothing was home. The final bell sounds and this one sided beating is over. Y’all must’ve forgot about Max Holloway!

Max Holloway def. Calvin Kattar by Unanimous Decision (50-43, 50-43, 50-42)