Calvin Kattar Releases First Statement Since Lopsided Loss to Max Holloway

Calvin Kattar has spoken for the first time since his loss to Max Holloway in the UFC on ABC 1 main event.

“The Boston Finisher” did not address the media after absorbing a UFC record 445 significant strikes in a five-round unanimous decision defeat at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi because he was taken to a hospital immediately after the bout. Instead, Kattar released a brief statement via social media on Monday.

“Success in life comes when you simply refuse to give up,” Kattar wrote. “With goals so strong that obstacles, failure and loss only act as motivation.

“Props to Max on a hell of a fight he deserves all the praise. Thankful for my team’s commitment for this fight. On to the next. There is no stopping the man who doesn’t quit.”

Kattar displayed tremendous toughness as he survived 25 minutes with Holloway. On a couple occasions it appeared that referee Herb Dean would halt the featherweight contest, but Kattar always managed to show just enough to allow the fight to continue. UFC president Dana White said he thought Dean should have stepped in to stop the bout before the final horn.

“I thought the fight should have been stopped in the fourth round,” White said at the UFC on ABC 1 post-fight press conference. “I was freaking out a little bit. I said [to his coaches], he’s not going to stop and talk to anybody. We’re going to take him straight to the ambulance and send him to the hospital.

“Then I went over to him and I said ‘you’re so tough, what an unbelievable performance’ and he said ‘That’s not what I want to be known for.’ He goes, ‘But I’m not going to back down to anybody’ and I said we’re going to send you straight to the hospital right now. I don’t want you talking to anybody or doing anything. He started laughing and thought that was funny. He’s in good spirits, his head is clear.”

Entering UFC on ABC 1, Kattar had won four of his previous five Octagon appearances and was coming off back-to-back triumphs over Jeremy Stephens and Dan Ige in 2020. The 32-year-old Massachusetts native has never lost a fight via KO or TKO in 27 professional outings.

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