<ul class="summary-list"><li>Calvin Katter and <keyword id="9581216" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="dan-ige">Dan Ige</keyword> went to war Thursday at the Flash Forum on "<keyword id="9060271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fight-island">Fight Island</keyword>," Abu Dhabi.</li><li>Though Katter appeared to badly hurt his nose, it was the American stand-up fighter who did the far greater damage, causing countless cuts, many bruises, and his eye to swell shut.</li><li>Watch some of the highlights from the <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword> featherweight fight below.</li></ul>FIGHT ISLAND — <keyword id="9197019" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="calvin-kattar">Calvin Kattar</keyword> landed 70 strikes on Dan Ige's face, leaving his opponent with a swollen eye, countless cuts, and many bruises.Though there was little to separate Kattar from Ige on total strike statistics alone, judging from the state each fighter left the Octagon in, it was clear that the winner's blows were more brutal.The featherweight fighters headlined the second of the UFC's four <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/fight-island" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"Fight Island" events</a> in a quarantined area on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.The UFC analyst Jon Anik told Insider this week that the bout demonstrated "bullet-proof matchmaking" on UFC's part, with the commentator expecting a potential Fight of the Year candidate should it last five rounds.Indeed it went the distance, with Kattar earning a 49-46, 49-46, 48-47 decision win.The fight was largely fought on the feet, with sporadic and unsuccessful takedown attempts peppered between constant punching, kicking, and elbowing.There were 483 combined strikes in this fight, with both fighters applying regular pressure throughout the bout.They both closed the show in style.But there could only be one winner — Katter.Though it appeared he may have badly hurt his nose early in the fight, Katter did considerable damage to Ige's face:<div type="image" title="Dan Ige" height="413" width="825" msid="76993972" hostid="261"></div>"He had a good right hand, clipped my nose with one of them," said Katter post-fight."In a 25 minute fight, you're going to get hit with some s---. I felt like I hit him with a lot more and if there were a couple more rounds, maybe I get the finish, but with that kid you're gonna have to fight to the death."He's a tough kid, six fight win streak, you don't get that by luck."The American advances his record to 22 wins (11 knockouts, two submissions, and nine decisions) against four losses, will likely rise up the featherweight rankings, and could be matched with a top contender like Max Holloway or even the champion Alexander Volkanovski in the future.Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/mounir-lazzez-wins-violently-in-very-good-ufc-striking-match-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mounir Lazzez beat Abdul Alhassan in one of the most violent, fun, very good 'Fight Island' matches you'll see all summer</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-lerone-murphy-dominates-then-finishes-with-ground-and-pound-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A 28-year-old featherweight called Lerone Murphy finished his 'Fight Island' opponent with nasty ground-and-pound</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-jack-shore-ufc-star-in-the-making-wins-submission-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A UFC star-in-the-making continued his flawless run with a technically adept finish on 'Fight Island'</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/ufc-fighters-unfazed-about-fighting-in-pandemic-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UFC stars say MMA's new normal is 'eerie,' but they're unfazed about fighting in the middle of a pandemic</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-mma-show-contains-horrifying-illegal-kneecap-knockout-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">An MMA fighter knocked out his opponent with an 'illegal and vicious' flying knee to the skull when he was already down</a>

Calvin Kattar landed 70 strikes on Dan Ige's face, leaving his opponent with a swollen eye, countless cuts, and many bruises

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="10118701" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="brian-ortega">Brian Ortega</keyword> returned the performance of a lifetime at the Flash Forum in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.</li><li>The Californian produced a Muay Thai masterclass which bamboozled his opponent <keyword id="10118699" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="korean-zombie">Korean Zombie</keyword>.</li><li>Ortega had not fought for two years but showed on <keyword id="9060271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fight-island">Fight Island</keyword> that he had been busy leveling up his skillset.</li><li>He even landed an extraordinary, highlight-reel spinning elbow which you can watch below.</li></ul>FIGHT ISLAND — Brian Ortega produced a Muay Thai masterclass to dominate Korean Zombie and steal the show on Saturday.The two featherweights brought their storied rivalry to a close at the behind-closed-doors Flash Forum on Fight Island, an ongoing festival of <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword> events in a quarantined bubble on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.Ortega and Korean Zombie's story contains an open-palm slap, an accusation of cowardice, and a promise from the American that their 145-pound brawl would be so bloody that they'll both end up in a local hospital.There had been question marks regarding Ortega's ability to perform having been absent from the UFC for a two-year period.But the jiu jitsu expert answered that by showing a new, highly-evolved, and technically-proficient version of himself which the media, fans, and the industry as a whole had not seen before.Ortega brought in a new-look training team and it appears the introduction of Jason Park, a striking coach and strength specialist, paid dividends in competition.To demonstrate the ingenuity, technical nous, and knowledge of time, space, and range, Ortega threw and landed an audacious spinning elbow late in the second round which was so powerful it dropped the normally durable Korean Zombie to the ground.Watch it here:Korean Zombie had seemingly recovered by the third round but Ortega was back to picking his opponent apart with a varied shot selection which included body kicks, leg kicks, and a body punch.By the fourth, Ortega had split Korean Zombie's face open. And, if it hadn't been clear by the time it got to the fifth, the only way Korean Zombie could win would be by scoring a hail-Mary knockout.The problem for him was that this was Brian Ortega 2.0. A polished version who had not only been drilling attacks to compliment his extraordinary Brazilian jiu jitsu base, but who had also shown defensive awareness throughout the contest.This was Ortega's fight. A signature win.Ortega landed 129 strikes from 214 attempted. Korean Zombie had only landed half that for an accuracy of 38%.It was a striking masterclass.The win advanced Ortega's pro MMA record to 15 wins (three knockouts, seven submissions, and five decisions) against one loss, and pushes him toward a shot at the UFC featherweight championship against current ruler Alexander Volkanovski.Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/video-power-punching-jimmy-crute-scores-brutal-121-second-knockout-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A fast-rising 24-year-old fighter showed off his raw power by smacking his opponent around the Octagon in brutal fashion</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-said-nurmagomedovs-ground-and-pound-seals-51-second-knockout-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Said Nurmagomedov forces a 51-second knockout with some of the fastest, nastiest ground-and-pound you'll see on Fight Island</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/gillian-robertson-happy-she-messed-up-poliana-botelhos-eye-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Canadian fighter called Gillian Robertson messed up her opponent's eye and said later that she was really happy she did that</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/jun-young-park-ragdolled-john-phillips-in-dominant-ufc-match-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jun Yong Park shattered a UFC record during a merciless battering on Fight Island</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/guram-kutateladze-refuses-to-accept-ufc-win-over-mateusz-gamrot-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Guram Kutateladze scored an upset victory over an unbeaten fighter but refused to accept the win, saying: "It wasn't my fight."</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/jonathan-martinez-may-be-most-experienced-streetfighter-in-ufc-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A 26-year-old American on Fight Island is rumored to have had more street fights than Jorge Masvidal and Kimbo Slice combined</a>

Brian Ortega produced a Muay Thai masterclass to dominate Korean Zombie and steal the show on Fight Island

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Fast-rising bantamweight <keyword id="10601324" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="rob-font">Rob Font</keyword> wants to finish T.J. Dillashaw and prove he is ready for a title shot.</li><li>Font is currently on <keyword id="9060271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fight-island">Fight Island</keyword> in Abu Dhabi to support his friend and training partner <keyword id="9197019" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="calvin-kattar">Calvin Kattar</keyword> ahead of the featherweight's main event match against Max Holloway on Saturday.</li><li>Beating Holloway could be enough to secure Kattar a title shot against Alexander Volkanovski.</li><li>Font hopes a victory over Dillashaw could earn him his own title shot in the 135-pound weight class.</li></ul>FIGHT ISLAND - American fighter Rob Font wants a knockout win over T.J. Dillashaw to springboard him into <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword> title contention.Though Font does not have a scheduled fight, the New England Cartel bantamweight is on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi to support his friend and training partner Calvin Kattar, who competes in a featherweight match against Max Holloway in Saturday's main event - the UFC's first show for three weeks.Insider met Font, Kattar, and their trainer and agent <keyword id="10601323" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="tyson-chartier">Tyson Chartier</keyword> earlier this week by the side of the Yas Marina Circuit, a $1 billion race track on the W Hotel site on Yas Island.Font, 33, has been mimicking Kattar's opponent Holloway during their training camp to help him prepare for that style in the days and weeks leading up to this weekend.But soon, it may fall on Kattar to return the favor and mimic Font's next opponent."I want big things," Font told Insider. "I'm thinking about belts and defending belts. I'm going to do what I have to do, tagging along with Calvin, getting to experience the main events, Fight Island, fighting through a pandemic."Kattar is the No.6-ranked 145-pounder in the UFC but can climb that ladder should he defeat Holloway, who is the No.1 contender in that weight class.And so Font is targeting a fight that, like Kattar, could propel him up the rankings should he win.Since dropping a decision to Raphael Assuncao at UFC 226 in 2018, Font won three in a row, including a knockout via punches against Marlon Moraes last month.Two of Font's last three fights have scooped him $50,000 bonus checks because of the awesomeness of his performance. The momentum is with him."I'm right behind Calvin," Font told us. "And I've been learning how to deal with all this s--- through him. I'm just waiting for that opportunity to knock one of the top guys out."Frankie Edgar, Cody Garbrandt, and Cory Sandhagen are all ranked above Font in the 135-pound weight class, while the No.1 in the division Aljamain Sterling seeks to fight the champion Petr Yan.But Font has someone else in his sights - the former two-time bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw who is approaching the end of his two-year suspension <a href="https://www.mmamania.com/2021/1/11/22225985/rob-font-tj-dillashaw-put-epo-in-his-body-hes-mentally-broken-ufc-mma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">after testing positive for Erythropoietin [EPO] in 2018</a>."We want T.J.," Font said. "To go out there and knockout T.J. Dillashaw would make it four in a row, two finishes, and you can't deny me [a title shot] from there."<h2>Font beats everyone at bantamweight, the New England Cartel says</h2><div type="image" title="Max Holloway, Tyson chartier, and Rob Font" height="1000" width="2000" msid="80303394" hostid="261"></div>His coach Chartier has been studying Dillashaw for a while, knowing it's a bout that could materialize."Rob got to move around with T.J. a little bit in 2013, 2014. When he got in the UFC at 135, T.J. had the belt, so …that's the guy he's always wanted to fight," Chartier told us."I remember Rob's UFC debut … we saw T.J., I remember thinking if all goes well, we're going to fight this kid someday."We get to fight him now, not necessarily for the belt, but as an uncrowned champion because he never lost with the belt. There's a new champ now. But if, when, we beat him, 100% the next should be a title fight."Kattar foresees a run of victories for his friend: "Rob finishes every fighter in the bantamweight division," he said."He's the best fighter in the world at 135-pounds, and he just needs the opportunity to go and prove it."Once Rob gets that fight booked with T.J. Dillashaw, we're both on pace to go get those belts in 2021," Kattar said.Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/how-training-with-the-diaz-brothers-helped-shape-calvin-kattar-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">'UFC Champion-in-waiting' Calvin Kattar still uses lessons he learned from training with the Diaz brothers more than a decade ago</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/joaquin-buckley-credits-kanye-west-for-social-media-boost-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Knockout artist Joaquin Buckley credits Kanye West for giving his UFC highlight-reel a boost on social media</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/conor-mcgregor-confirms-talks-with-manny-pacquiao-for-mega-fight-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor confirms talks with Manny Pacquiao over a $250 million world championship boxing match</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/jake-pauls-merciless-trolling-of-conor-mcgregors-team-continues-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jake Paul's merciless trolling of Conor McGregor's fight team continues as he belittles the Irishman's sparring partner</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/georges-st-pierre-says-he-never-enjoyed-fighting-in-ufc-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Georges St. Pierre says he used to cry before bouts early in his career and never enjoyed fighting in the UFC</a>

American fighter Rob Font wants a knockout win over T.J. Dillashaw so it can springboard him into UFC title contention

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="10118701" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="brian-ortega">Brian Ortega</keyword> and <keyword id="10118699" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="korean-zombie">Korean Zombie</keyword> compete in a widely-anticipated featherweight match Saturday which could determine the No.1 challenger to the <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword> championship.</li><li>The fighters have a particularly storied rivalry which includes a fight last year which was canceled because of injury, a slap in the crowd during the last fan-attended UFC event, and accusations of cowardice.</li><li>Ortega insists this is no grudge match, though. But did say they will still fight with the bad intentions.</li><li>"I hope Abu Dhabi has good hospitals because we're both going to be in that s--- by the end of the night," Ortega said.</li></ul><keyword id="9060271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fight-island">FIGHT ISLAND</keyword> — Brian Ortega said his UFC Fight Island featherweight match against Chan Sung Jung — better known as the Korean Zombie — will be so brutal they'll both end up in the hospital."I hope Abu Dhabi has good hospitals because we're both going to be in that s--- by the end of the night," said Ortega during a media day which Insider attended Wednesday."There's no need to trash talk [but] I have nothing but bad intentions for him when we both go in there."The anticipated bout, which could decide a No.1 challenger for Alexander Volkanovski's championship in the 145-pound division, brings together two rivals with a storied past. The pair were supposed to fight last year but a long-term injury ruled Ortega out.They were in close proximity to each other in March at UFC 248 in Las Vegas — the last fan-attended UFC event before the coronavirus forced live events behind-closed-doors.As Korean Zombie does not speak fluent English he is reliant on a translator. At the time it was Jay Park, a 33-year-old rapper and singer, who helped. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/mar/11/ufc-brian-ortega-jay-park-korean-rapper" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/mar/11/ufc-brian-ortega-jay-park-korean-rapper" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to The Guardian</a>, Ortega, annoyed at a Park translation which suggested the Californian was ducking a fight with Korean Zombie, approached Park in the crowd and open-palm slapped him in the face at the event.The Korean Zombie was livid. And wrote a message for Ortega <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9fhzgulDSv/">on his Instagram</a> account, saying that he only slapped Park when he realized the Zombie had gone to the bathroom."You f------ attacked Jay Park while I went to the bathroom," he said. "Jay Park is not a professional fighter but a musician. You slapped a civilian who merely helped translate."Even worse, you were sitting there waiting until I would be absent and attacked Jay Park. It was not a fight like real men would do."What you have done is same as a grown up to beat a child. You should have attacked me. You are such a coward for slapping a musician not a fighter."He finished: "If you f------ planned this to fight me and to use my name because people don't remember your name anymore, then I congratulate you, it worked. I will fight you and I will knock you out and your f------ face will be bloody."Ortega issued an apology on Twitter.<div type="image" title="Korean Zombie and Brian Ortega, Fight Island" height="750" width="1000" msid="78700271" hostid="261"></div><h2>Ortega insists Saturday's fight is no grudge match</h2>The rivalry appears to have cooled somewhat.The two 145-pounders have been in the same room together during brief moments on Fight Island, and even attended a face-off on the Yas Island beach in front of reporters and the UFC President Dana White, where they were both well behaved.Ortega insists Saturday's fight is not a grudge match."No, not at all," he said. "I could see how it would be that way because of my actions but it was ultimately like we were talking too much, starting to get pissed."Now little people are chiming in. If you really want to go war with me, this is just the beginning. I could get petty as f---. I don't want to, it's unprofessional, but it's not the worst thing that's happened in the UFC."It was very clear, let's stop this s---, and do what we started. The whole world had eyes on us and we didn't have to have s--- talking."Ortega and Korean Zombie headline the UFC Fight Island 6 event at the Flash Forum in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.Other matches on the card include a women's flyweight bout between Katlyn Chookagian and Jessica Andrade, and a particularly spicy fight between two lightweights, Mateusz Gamrot and Guram Kutateladze.Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/jonathan-martinez-may-be-most-experienced-streetfighter-in-ufc-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A 26-year-old American on Fight Island is rumored to have had more street fights than Jorge Masvidal and Kimbo Slice combined</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/calvin-kattar-could-fight-max-holloway-next-then-ufc-title-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Calvin Kattar is working behind-the-scenes to get the fight which would lead him to the UFC title, and is targeting Max Holloway</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-jamelle-jones-scores-brutal-knockout-at-ces61-mma-show-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">An American fighter scored a brutal KO and hit his opponent with 3 hammer fists when he was defenseless on the ground</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/adesanya-jones-would-be-ufcs-biggest-fight-according-to-cormier-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Israel Adesanya should move on from Paulo Costa as 'he's already dead.' Jon Jones is now the perfect foil, Dan Cormier said.</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/conor-mcgregor-accepts-dustin-poirier-fight-after-ufc-ultimatum-2020-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor accepts Dustin Poirier fight deal after the UFC issued a 'take it or leave it' ultimatum</a>

Brian Ortega said his UFC fight with the Korean Zombie will be so brutal they'll both end up in the hospital

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Cult hero <keyword id="10118699" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="korean-zombie">Korean Zombie</keyword> returns to the Octagon on Saturday against <keyword id="10118701" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="brian-ortega">Brian Ortega</keyword> in the fourth of the <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword>'s five successive events on <keyword id="9060271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fight-island">Fight Island</keyword>.</li><li>Insider spoke to the fighter's manager Jason House, the UFC analyst and former title challenger Dan Hardy, and attended a media day with the athlete himself to get insight on his journey.</li><li>Korean Zombie is one win away from a UFC title shot in the featherweight division.</li><li>His last title shot was in 2013, and, since then, he's served two mandatory years in the South Korean army, has returned to the UFC, and has been gradually climbing the 145-pound rankings.</li><li>He has a storied rivalry with Ortega, who said earlier this week that their featherweight match will be so brutal both fighters will end up in a local Abu Dhabi hospital.</li></ul>FIGHT ISLAND — Chan Sung Jung, better known by his nickname Korean Zombie, is one of the biggest cult heroes in the UFC because of his dignified image, ferocious fighting style, and graphic t-shirts which depict aggressive undead characters.On Saturday, October 17, at the behind-closed-doors Flash Forum venue at Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, Korean Zombie will be looking to open Brian Ortega's skull with crisp, powerful strikes before metaphorically feasting on the Californian's brain.The stakes are high for both men.Victory at the UFC Fight Island 6 event, to be broadcast on ESPN+ in the US, propels the winner into a title shot against the current UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.It would be Korean Zombie's first chance at a championship since he lost to Jose Aldo in 2013, months before he was conscripted to the South Korean military, completed two years of service, and began to climb back up the UFC's rankings.It is a journey that has birthed a rivalry because Ortega hit Korean Zombie's friend and former translator Jay Park, a rapper and musician, with an open-palm slap at a fan-attended event earlier in the year.The ordinarily mild-mannered Korean Zombie went apoplectic on social media, accusing Ortega of being a coward.Ortega said this week at a media day attended by Insider that this weekend's <a href="https://www.insider.com/brian-ortega-said-korean-zombie-fight-sees-both-in-hospital-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fight will be so brutal it will land both men in a local hospital</a>.The 145-pound match is one of the most anticipated on Fight Island.<h2>Military service and new coach Eddie Cha helped form a Korean Zombie for the modern MMA era</h2><div type="image" title="Chan Sung Jung UFC Korean Zombie" height="729" width="1024" msid="78723901" hostid="261"></div>Before his mandatory, two-year service in 2013, Korean Zombie lamented his hiatus from the fight game.<a href="http://fightland.vice.com/blog/the-korean-zombie-talks-about-his-mandatory-military-service" target="_blank" rel="noopener">He told Fightland</a> he would miss competing in the Octagon and on potentially losing out on a barnburner with opponents like Conor McGregor.At that time, McGregor been crowned a two-weight Cage Warriors champion in Europe, signed to the UFC with great interest in Ireland, and had begun to show the world's premier MMA firm what was to come with scintillating performances over Marcus Brimage and Max Holloway.In the months after a fourth-round knockout loss to Jose Aldo in a UFC featherweight title fight at UFC 163, Korean Zombie headed off to basic training.He told Fightland: "I'll be at the training base for a month, then I will be sent to City Hall in Seoul as I have been assigned to a government office to work until 6 p.m."What typical military training could involve was reported by a former Insider Inc. video producer Gene Kim who had been conscripted himself and detailed the experience in a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU6FX0PyCrU" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Voices of Color by Insider</a> video two years ago."The law requires every male to serve the military and it is extremely hard to get out of it," Kim said, noting that the Korean Civil War and the decades-long tension with North Korea required the South always to be ready for conflict."If you purposely evade the military duty you will get jail time," he said.Instructors intentionally try to intimidate and scare conscripted men, according to Kim. "You'll be yelled at constantly."Kim detailed one training session which simulated a chemical attack. Trainees were fitted with gas masks and taken into a small room. Once everybody was inside, gas-filled the room and with a guard on the only exit. They were then ordered to remove the gas masks and breathe the toxic air."It's just chaos in that tiny room," Kim said.Everybody cries an uncontrollable amount of tears, streams of spit pour from their mouths, and any exposed skin "feels like a thousand needles just grabbing onto you."<div type="image" title="Korean army gas room" height="826" width="1500" msid="78723902" hostid="261"></div>It is unclear what Korean Zombie went through during his specific training, but after his month-long introduction, he was given a government office job because of surgeries needed after incurring injuries from years of professional fighting.The two-year spell for Korean Zombie was "uneventful," he said in <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/2017/2/1/14470108/the-korean-zombie-talks-military-hiatus-return-to-ufc-145-title" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an interview with MMA Fighting</a> in 2017."I was like a civil servant," he said. "After basic training, I was able to live at home and commute to work. I didn't train as intensely as I normally would have, so I focused more heavily on improving my skills in the different disciplines."At a Fight Island media day this week that Insider attended, Korean Zombie's coach and translator Eddie Cha said: "He did serve and he is proud to serve his country.""I've always felt that Korean Zombie has been evolving," Jason House Korean Zombie's manager and founder of the California-based Iridium <keyword id="6356028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports">Sports</keyword> Agency, told Insider."You'd have to think his time in the military has affected him positively and has helped him to develop, mature, and continue to evolve his game inside the cage."I also feel that the first fight with Eddie Cha [in his corner] — the Renato Moicano fight — you see a different style with the striking."Coach Eddie has done a phenomenal job of tightening up some things on who is already an amazing athlete."And I think you see a difference in not just the brawling, but the precision. These last two fights he's been very precise, landing combinations we've been training for, for those specific opponents and it's paid off."I feel a lot of that is attributed to Coach Eddie and the camp he puts together for KZ, who is seeking to evolve all the time."MMA analyst and UFC commentator Dan Hardy told Insider that the biggest difference between a pre-conscription Korean Zombie and a post-conscription one is not an evolved skillset per se but rather a more mature person experienced at decision-making in the midst of battle."The main difference now is his maturity," said Hardy. "He's grown up. He's watching his place in the sport and realizes what he needs to do to be at the top. He's a contender, no doubt about it."He's got skills wherever [the fight] goes and it's all about decision-making when you get to the top-5. And the guys who make the best decisions are usually the ones who are the most successful."<div type="image" title="Chan Sung Jung, Korean Zombie, UFC Fight Island" height="1000" width="1500" msid="78723903" hostid="261"></div>House added: "He's very poised. His poise and demeanor is something I admire. He's always very even-keeled."The rivalry he shares with Ortega, one which has seen the American open-palm slap Korean Zombie's friend, the rapper and musician Jay Park, brought out a new side of his personality which House had not seen."Seeing emotion from him in the situation with Ortega was something that was very new to me."House said Korean Zombie otherwise carries himself in a dignified way. "He's always on time [to meetings]. And brings it every time to the cage."He's very exciting, and he's a good family man. His wife is here with us and they have their own reality show in Korea which is very popular. They're living the dream."<h2>That dream includes another shot at the UFC featherweight championship</h2>It's been seven years since Korean Zombie's last UFC featherweight title shot. Since then, he's completed his military service, fought four times, and had to navigate the coronavirus pandemic like many other athletes.But victory over Ortega would elevate him back to where he was before, with a title shot against Volkanovski on the horizon."The Ortega fight is going to be a great one," House told us. "We've got a lot of respect for him, he's one of the best in the world. I feel people know he's dangerous in grappling but I feel he's dangerous everywhere. And he doesn't get credit for that."He's got great knockout wins over Clay Guida, Frankie Edgar, great work against Moicano. People might think if we're going to lose [to him] it will be by submission, but Ortega is dangerous everywhere."Coach Cha said: "Ortega is a great fighter. But the way Korean Zombie's catching his stride … if you look at his last two fights, not just offensively but defensively, even when he came out of the army when he fought Dennis Bermudez he had a first-round knockout but he still got clipped quite a bit."The biggest thing that we cleaned up is his footwork, head movement, not getting hit, distance, and range."You'll see differences in his footwork, his pop, hand-speed. Then his wrestling all the way down to his jiu-jitsu and even his physique."That's what's creating a new, 2.0 Zombie."Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/brian-ortega-said-korean-zombie-fight-sees-both-in-hospital-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brian Ortega said Korean Zombie fight will be so brutal they'll both end up in an Abu Dhabi hospital</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/gillian-robertson-targets-mens-records-after-beating-ronda-rouseys-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A 25-year-old Canadian isn't content with breaking a Ronda Rousey record in the UFC as she's targeting men's records, too</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/khabib-nurmagomedov-vs-justin-gaethje-could-be-open-to-fans-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UFC 254 organizers consider moving the event to an 18,000 seater arena with a partial fan allowance: 'We'd love for it to happen'</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/jonathan-martinez-may-be-most-experienced-streetfighter-in-ufc-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A 26-year-old American on Fight Island is rumored to have had more street fights than Jorge Masvidal and Kimbo Slice combined</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/conor-mcgregor-accepts-dustin-poirier-fight-after-ufc-ultimatum-2020-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor accepts Dustin Poirier fight deal after the UFC issued a 'take it or leave it' ultimatum</a>

Korean Zombie once felt he missed a shot at Conor McGregor because of military conscription, but is back chasing UFC gold on Fight Island

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett has signed a deal with the <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword>.</li><li>He leaves <keyword id="8938668" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Cage-Warriors">Cage Warriors</keyword> as a former featherweight champion with a fervent, built-in fanbase.</li><li>Pimblett told us the UFC won't know what hit them, and is targeting a championship already.</li></ul>With a head kick, a flurry of punches, and a takedown, Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett moved into rear-mount position and submitted his opponent with a rear-naked choke for an impressive first-round win.Immediately after making Davide Martinez tap out at the Saturday, March 20 <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/cage-warriors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cage Warriors</a> event, Pimblett stormed around the London canvas to find a rolling camera.He then looked into the lens and implored <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/dana-white" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the UFC President Dana White</a> to call Cage Warriors boss Graham Boylan. "Come on, lad! Give him a ring," he screamed.Pimblett didn't know at the time how quickly Boylan would get that call.Within 48 hours, Boylan called Pimblett to give him good news. "He tried to trick me at first," Pimblett told Insider.Imitating Boylan, Pimblett said: "'Yeah, we're going to go in this direction, you've got a new contract, but there's only going to be a couple differences. There'll be a different company and a different logo on the front.'"I was like, 'Yeah?' And he was like, 'Yeah, that's it, lad. We've done it. You're going to the UFC.'"Pimblett has spent much of his career at Cage Warriors, one of the most prominent <keyword id="6403489" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="mma">MMA</keyword> firms in Europe. It is renowned for funneling talent like Dan Hardy, Michael Bisping, and <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/conor-mcgregor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor</a> into the UFC.The 26-year-old Pimblett was always confident he'd make the same journey into the world's leading combat <keyword id="6356028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports">sports</keyword> promotion headquartered in Las Vegas, and that confidence had now paid off."It was inevitable, weren't it," he told us. "It was always going to happen and now it's finally happened."I got the phone call on Monday from Graham after fighting on Saturday. It was a little bit of a shock because it was so fast. There was no negotiating … I just knew."I'm sure Graham will share the details when it's announced that I've actually signed. But this is only the beginning - the beginning of a long journey."I'm going to be making history."<h2>Pimblett is part of a British invasion</h2><div type="image" title="Paddy Pimblett signs with the UFC" height="1072" width="1500" msid="81747929" hostid="261"></div>Though Hardy, Bisping, and the Dublin striker McGregor are past success stories for Cage Warriors, the London-based fighting firm is responsible for a new wave of exciting British talent in the UFC.There's <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/tom-aspinall" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tom Aspinall</a>, a bruising heavyweight who exhibits extraordinary jiu jitsu, and there's <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/mason-jones" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mason Jones</a>, a former two-weight Cage Warriors king, who won plaudits because of a skillset he showed in a UFC debut loss.Now there's Pimblett, a fighter who can finish opponents with strikes or submissions but with the added advantage of possessing a rare trait - the gift of the gab.Pimblett has crowds in the palms of his hands, and it all points towards a modern-day British invasion - a new Beatlemania of sorts, albeit with fisticuffs and ground-and-pound instead of electric guitars and drumsticks.Pimblett can guarantee sell-out arenas filled with screaming fans but couldn't help but laugh at the comparison."It is [like Beatlemania]," Pimblett, who like the Beatles is from Liverpool, said."And I look like a fifth Beatle, so it's even more perfect," he added, referencing his signature mop of hair.He then channeled an immortal and oft-repeated line from McGregor's own rise. "I do hate to use this quote, but we're not here to take part … we're here to take over. I am, anyway."I was put on this Earth to do this … to fight, and to give people entertainment. That's why I fight like a little weirdo. Not many people fight like me. I've got my own style. I'm never in a boring fight win or lose."I've got people who love me, want to watch me, and see me fight. But there's also people who hate me and want to watch me to see me get beaten up. They all watch me, though, and that's all dollar signs."<h2>Pimblett is targeting a featherweight run in the UFC</h2><div type="image" title="Paddy Pimblett UFC deal" height="1000" width="1500" msid="81747932" hostid="261"></div>Pimblett, like McGregor, has fought at featherweight and at lightweight in Cage Warriors.Pending medical clearance, the Briton wants to fight at 145 pounds for his initial campaign in the UFC."We'll see what happens, but I think I might be going down to 145," he said. He then talked about the differences between a featherweight division that is home to Alexander Volkanovski, Brian Ortega, and Max Holloway, and lightweight which belongs to McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Michael Chandler."I think the featherweight division is a bit easier than the lightweight division so I'll do what McGregor did. I'll win the featherweight belt and then demand a lightweight title shot."I reckon I'll out-talk them all," he told us. "None of them will have any banter compared to me."He then listed Julian Erosa, who he beat in 2016, as a potential opponent in the months ahead. "He's probably going to want a rematch," Pimblett said."The only other people I'm looking at are Jared Gordon because he beat Fishy [Chris Fishgold] and Herbert Burns because his brother [Gilbert Burns] has got a big name and I want to beat him up."I'd love to get three fights in this year and just stay in camp after each fight. I want to fight on Fight Island because everybody says you get treated like a king, and I want to get treated like a king for a week or two."I want fans back, and when they come back to arenas it will be next level. The walk-outs aren't the same in empty venues."It gets me pumped up when I hear other people screaming. When the UFC see that walk-out with the crowd, they'll see dollar signs, 'Woah. This kid's great.' And when the UFC put a mic in front of me, Dana is just going to love it."The addition of Chandler to the UFC roster last year saw the company acquire a three-time Bellator MMA champion capable of challenging for the 155-pound title, and so he was regarded as the signing of the year.Pimblett sees himself as the signing of 2021. "I'm the biggest signing of the year, 100%. I'm the biggest signing of the decade, and the biggest signing since the millennium," he said.And on his ambitions, Pimblett didn't hold back: "I'd love to have the UFC title wrapped around me, maybe even two."If belts were awarded for talking, he'd already have them won.

Popular prizefighter Paddy Pimblett signed a UFC deal and immediately called himself the signing of the decade

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Featherweight rivals <keyword id="10118701" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="brian-ortega">Brian Ortega</keyword> and Chan Sung Jung, also known as <keyword id="10118699" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="korean-zombie">Korean Zombie</keyword>, top the fourth of the <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword>'s five <keyword id="9060271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fight-island">Fight Island</keyword> events in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.</li><li>There is no love lost in this rivalry as its history contains an open-palm slap, an accusation of cowardice, and a pledge that the battle will be so bloody both athletes will end up at the local hospital.</li><li>Mixed martial arts expert <keyword id="10118972" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="dan-hardy">Dan Hardy</keyword>, a UFC commentator and former welterweight title challenger, analyzed the 145-pound fight for Insider.</li></ul>FIGHT ISLAND — The headlining match in the fourth of the UFC's five events at the ongoing Fight Island festival in Abu Dhabi pits the "clean knockout power" of cult hero Korean Zombie against Brian Ortega's ground-game skillset.The two athletes throw down in a featherweight fight, which could determine an immediate shot at Alexander Volkanovski's UFC championship in the 145-pound weight class.There is no love lost in the rivalry, one which has seen Ortega allegedly slap Korean Zombie's translator with his open-palm at a fan-attended UFC event earlier in the year.Korean Zombie, whose real name is Chan Sung Jung, accused Ortega of being a coward for picking on his translator and friend — the rapper and musician Jay Park — rather than him.And while Ortega tried to play down the animosity, he still told reporters during the media day this week that <a href="https://www.insider.com/brian-ortega-said-korean-zombie-fight-sees-both-in-hospital-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">both of them will finish the night in a local hospital</a>.Insider spoke to the mixed martial arts expert Dan Hardy, a former UFC welterweight title challenger, to get the UFC commentator's insights ahead of Saturday's match-up.He told us Korean Zombie, 33, had built great momentum before he had to take a hiatus from the sport because he was conscripted to the Korean army.Before his national service, Korean Zombie's last UFC bout was a fourth-round knockout loss to Jose Aldo in 2013. He did not return until 2017, when he beat Dennis Bermudez by first-round knockout.The Ortega bout will be his first of the pandemic era."What we saw with Korean Zombie in his first stint in the UFC was that he ran through a bunch of guys really quickly, got his opportunity against Aldo, and disappeared for a while."Obviously, he's going to know about the frustrations of being out of competition and watching the sport and the division continue to grow without him being a part of it."The fighter's translator hinted at an evolved Korean Zombie in recent years — a 2.0 fighter.Hardy said the biggest difference between a pre-conscription Jung and a post-conscription one is not an evolved skillset per se but rather a more mature person experienced at decision-making in the midst of battle."More than anything, it's maturity," Hardy said. "The first Korean Zombie we saw in the UFC, he came in after that amazing WEC war with Leonard Garcia, and that kind of set the stage for what we expect from him."He made his UFC debut in a rematch against Garcia and was able to finish him with a twister, which is a very complex submission."It's one of those submissions that you can't keep a secret until you've landed it on your opponent. They know what you're doing while you're setting it up — that shows how good his ground game is."<h2>Korean Zombie scored the first twister submission in UFC history</h2>"But we've also seen his knockout power, such as his first-round knockout over Mark Hominick before he got his title shot."The main difference now is his maturity. He's grown up. He's watching his place in the sport and realizes what he needs to do to be at the top. He's a contender, no doubt about it."He's got skills wherever [the fight] goes and it's all about decision-making when you get to the top-5. And the guys who make the best decisions are usually the ones who are the most successful."He has a complete disregard for his own face most of the time. He doesn't worry about getting hit but what that does is allow him to stay in the pocket without concern for his own safety, allowing him to read his opponents better, worry about his offense instead of theirs."The best example of that is the [Renato] Moicano fight. If you watch that fight in slow-motion, he never takes his eyes off Moicano's chin."Even when the punches are coming in, he slips off the centerline, comes straight over the top with a laser-focused right hand, and pretty much knocks him out the cold."The biggest difference [between Korean Zombie and KZ 2.0] is his maturity through his UFC career."<h2>Ortega comes into the No.1 contender fight looking to rebound following defeat</h2><div type="image" title="Brian Ortega, UFC preview" height="1000" width="2000" msid="78717049" hostid="261"></div>Ortega built a hot prospect status when he scored four consecutive third-round finishes from 2015 to 2017, but then suffered a debut loss in his career when Max Holloway obliterated him in 2018. He hasn't competed since."Ortega is coming off his first loss and that will be a big wake-up call for him," Hardy said."I'm always excited to see fighters return after their first loss because they make such strides in their game. Brian Ortega has brought in some new coaches and [the way he's preparing] we're going to get a much better version of Brian Ortega."The Californian black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu is without one of his trainers and close friends Rener Gracie, who tested positive for the coronavirus in the US and prevented from traveling with the team to Abu Dhabi.Ortega said it is more of a loss because Gracie is his "homie," and that he needs little help with jiu-jitsu — Gracie's specialty — considering his prowess on the ground.Hardy agreed."The thing with Brian Ortega is coming into his title fight with Max Holloway. We knew what kind of fighter he was. We know what skills he brings to the table."Hardy noted that Ortega has started slow in some fights but can change gears later when he is perhaps trailing on the scorecards and scoring a stoppage victory."With those third-round finishes, what we saw and what's interesting is that he also has a win over Moicano. But he lost the first two rounds against Moicano and he put himself in a position in the third round where he had to get that fight stopped in order to win."Same thing with Clay Guida — the last half of the round he really picked up his pace, backed up Guida, and walked him into a knee. So if he decides he needs to put his foot on the gas, he can do."He's got every skill in the world to do that, as well as that ridiculous guillotine he's got for someone who stands heavy on his lead leg like Zombie."It's going to be a philosophical change for Brian Ortega. And how he applies that for Korean Zombie. He's got good footwork, he manages range very well. But he's going to be the one moving in and out of punching range with Zombie because Chan Sung Jung likes to stand right on his opponent's front-foot and exchange punches."We need to see a mature performance from him and not get drawn into a gun-fight with Zombie."I feel Korean Zombie is the one who has the clean knockout power. When they tangle on the floor, that's where his background in Brazilian jiu-jitsu comes in."But that's where Zombie is a bit of an unknown commodity because we've not really seen a great deal of his ground game aside from that twister — a very difficult submission to land.The fight will also be decided on who can assert their game-plan. For Hardy, Korean Zombie's game-plan does not stress what the opponent brings to the Octagon but instead focuses on what he brings to the fight."Korean Zombie comes in to do him and isn't really concerned about what his opponent brings back at him."From his earlier career, he took a loss getting into a war and trading punches. He's still got that mentality but he's more focused on getting his head off the center line and punishing them as they step-in."I think Zombie is going to expect Brian Ortega to be a better version of himself but stylistically Zombie is going to be the one to stand in the center and allow Brian Ortega to decide where he wants to engage."Ortega has great footwork, we know he's good on the ground, but he is kind of a slow starter."Given that this is a five-round fight, the first round will be a really interesting lead to the rest of the fight — how they size each other up, what they expect of each other, and how they plan on taking the victory."Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/brian-ortega-said-korean-zombie-fight-sees-both-in-hospital-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brian Ortega said Korean Zombie fight will be so brutal they'll both end up in an Abu Dhabi hospital</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/gillian-robertson-targets-mens-records-after-beating-ronda-rouseys-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A 25-year-old Canadian isn't content with breaking a Ronda Rousey record in the UFC as she's targeting men's records, too</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/khabib-nurmagomedov-vs-justin-gaethje-could-be-open-to-fans-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UFC 254 organizers consider moving the event to an 18,000 seater arena with a partial fan allowance: 'We'd love for it to happen'</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/jonathan-martinez-may-be-most-experienced-streetfighter-in-ufc-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A 26-year-old American on Fight Island is rumored to have had more street fights than Jorge Masvidal and Kimbo Slice combined</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/conor-mcgregor-accepts-dustin-poirier-fight-after-ufc-ultimatum-2020-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor accepts Dustin Poirier fight deal after the UFC issued a 'take it or leave it' ultimatum</a>

The ultimate fighting preview: UFC expert Dan Hardy analyzed Brian Ortega and Korean Zombie's upcoming war

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword> returns with its first show of 2021 on Saturday, at the newly-built Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.</li><li>The event is headlined by a featherweight match between the No.1-ranked contender Max Holloway, and the No.6 fighter <keyword id="9197019" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="calvin-kattar">Calvin Kattar</keyword>.</li><li>Kattar met Insider on <keyword id="9060271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fight-island">Fight Island</keyword> earlier this week and told us about his family, the foundations of his career, and aspirations.</li><li>He said he trained with the world-famous Diaz brothers in Stockton, California, and continues to use life lessons learned from back then, today.</li><li>Kattar is vowing to defeat Holloway, in style, this weekend, so he can force a UFC title shot against the current champion Alexander Volkanovski.</li></ul>FIGHT ISLAND - When Calvin Kattar was 19 years old he packed his bags and traveled alone to Stockton, California.The burgeoning fighter slept on the living room floor at the Brazilian jiu jitsu master Cesar Gracie's house.He'd wake up early and get his nose bloodied three times a day training with Gracie's pupils like the world famous Diaz brothers, Nick and Nate.He studied how the Super Six champion Andre Ward hit the heavy bag at an Oakland boxing gym, learned skills that would last a lifetime in professional mixed martial arts, and even considered leaving New England to move indefinitely to the West Coast.Kattar, though, flew back East and stayed there for good when he found kindred combat spirits in his trainer and agent <keyword id="10601323" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="tyson-chartier">Tyson Chartier</keyword>, and the No.5-ranked UFC bantamweight <keyword id="10601324" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="rob-font">Rob Font</keyword>, who has been on a tear of late.Kattar, too, has been on his own tear.The 32-year-old <a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-calvin-kattar-brutal-elbow-ko-win-over-jeremy-stephens-2020-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sliced Jeremy Stephens' nose open with a sickening elbow strike</a> at UFC 249 in Jacksonville, Florida - the first pandemic era UFC event in May last year.Two months later, <a href="https://www.insider.com/photo-calvin-kattar-cut-dan-iges-face-open-with-boxing-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he messed up Dan Ige's face in a brutal five-round war</a> at the UFC's first series of <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/fight-island" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fight Island events</a> in Abu Dhabi.Now, he's thrust into the biggest fight of his life, headlining Saturday's UFC Fight Night event in a featherweight match against all-time great 145-pounder Max Holloway."I feel great," Holloway told Insider. "If you do it right, they're all the biggest fights of your life. The next one is always the biggest off a win, and when you win, the opportunities only get bigger."<h2>Kattar fights one of the consensus featherweight GOATs in Holloway</h2><div type="image" title="Max Holloway and Calvin Kattar" height="1000" width="1500" msid="80294232" hostid="261"></div>Insider met Kattar earlier this week at the W Hotel in Abu Dhabi, under a mile from the Etihad Arena - a newly-built venue created with the UFC's requirements in mind.Walking away from the W, we headed toward the $1 billion Yas Marina Circuit, reminiscing about white knuckle joyrides we'd both taken on the circuit earlier in the year, getting separate rides around the F1 race track in a pimped-out Chevrolet Camaro Drift Taxi.Kattar made the most of his time on Fight Island in 2020, going on to beat Ige so badly he left his opponent with a swollen eye, countless cuts, and many bruises.'The Boston Finisher' was so pleased with his handiwork he fist-bumped every reporter on press row as he made his victory walk away from the venue.Kattar did not escape unscathed, though, as he hurt his fists and suffered a bloody nose. He took time off to recover, rehabilitate his injuries, and enjoy a vacation.Months later, when he was wrapping his hands ahead of a training session at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas, <a href="https://www.insider.com/calvin-kattar-could-fight-max-holloway-next-then-ufc-title-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he called Insider on video to tell us he wanted to take on the No.1 fighter in the division</a>.He was ready for Holloway.On Saturday, he'll finally be able to lay hands on him."Any time you have a chance to go against one of the GOATs in the featherweight division, the No.1 contender at this moment, it's a big opportunity and it's a moment I've been working my whole career for - fights like this," Kattar said."I think we all know what you're getting in for with a Holloway fight. He brings the action - high volume, high pace, and I feel like I do much of the same but I'm a little bit more calculated."It'll make for a fun and exciting match-up, particularly being broadcast on ABC and with fans at this show. It's a good check-point for me, and this is my time."<h2>It's also a time for one of the hottest teams in MMA - the New England Cartel</h2><div type="image" title="Max Holloway, Tyson chartier, and Rob Font" height="1500" width="2000" msid="80294234" hostid="261"></div>Saturday night is a huge fight for Kattar's small but close-knit team - the New England Cartel.It is run by Chartier, who acts as agent and trainer, putting his two top-ranked fighters, Kattar and Font, through their paces.Chartier was recently named as one of the MMA coaches of the year in 2020 <a href="https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/mma-junkie-2020-coach-of-year-tyson-chartier-eric-nicksick-ufc-awards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">by MMA Junkie</a>.Victory this weekend could see him become an early front-runner for the same award this year."I've been watching Holloway as a fan all the way through the UFC, but then when Calvin got into the UFC I took a closer look at who the champ is - the benchmark - knowing, potentially, we're going to fight him one day," Chartier told Insider."I respect what he's done and he's one of the greatest of all-time to ever do it in the featherweight division, but Calvin earned the right to fight him and it's a good check-point for the team."It's also a good chance on ABC for Calvin to make himself a household name, and for him to get that title shot."Though Kattar is in his early 30s, he continues to evolve as a striker.His elbow strike knockout over Stephens was something new to his arsenal, and Chartier told Insider that fight fans can expect to see continued developments in his stand-up."I think you're going to see a well-rounded fighter [on Saturday]," he told us. "He can be tough when he needs to be tough, and he can be calculated when he needs to be calculated."He'll fight where it needs to go regardless of what Max brings, as he has an idea of how to handle it."I think you'll see new technical tricks as he keeps evolving as a striker. One year ago, he wasn't throwing elbows, then he knocked out Jeremy Stephens with an elbow."Every fight you see a bit more added to the tools, and the tools you have seen will be a little bit sharper."It has been up to Font to mimic Holloway in camp, so nothing the former champion throws or does come fight night comes as a surprise.But the sessions have been so brutal, Font will be happy to have a day off once the final bell sounds this weekend."I've been doing my best Max Holloway impersonation [in training camp] where I pick up the volume, pick up the pace, but now it's finally over," he smiled."I'm tired of getting hit. Calvin is a champion-in-waiting."<h2>Kattar's family will be watching with interest back home in the US</h2><div type="image" title="Max Holloway face off and Calvin Kattar" height="1409" width="2000" msid="80294238" hostid="261"></div>Kattar's entire family will be watching the show on ABC, hoping to see their son, nephew, or brother climb the UFC rankings.The only one who might not be watching is Kattar's father, Jamie, who gets so nervous on Calvin's fight nights that he's been known to vomit."He hasn't been to a show this year because of COVID, but I'm sure he's throwing up in a toilet back at the house," Kattar laughed.Kattar calls his mother, Sandy, his superhero. She, too, will be excited to watch him perform but cannot do so alone, and so she flew to Texas to be with his sister."Because my brother's with me, and she can't stand to be alone for the fight, my mom flew to Texas."My sister moved [there] a couple of years back with her cowboy husband and she had to fly out there because she's got to cling on to someone."She's excited, everyone's excited - they all know it's a big opportunity and one that we're going to go out and do what we do."<h2>What Kattar learned from the Diaz brothers</h2><div type="image" title="Nate Diaz and Nick Diaz" height="1125" width="1500" msid="80294240" hostid="261"></div>Though Kattar has never returned to train in California since his sessions with the Diaz brothers, he took a part of Stockton back with him to Massachusetts.The level and intensity of the training, the schedule of a full-time fighter, and the lifestyle are traits he discovered in that time, but continues to use to this day."There's a lot of things I learned from them and that camp that just set the tone for a lot of the training that I do now - big picture things and the amount they train," Kattar said."I haven't trained with them since then, but that altered the way I train since coming back from Stockton."The level of training and amount of training they do. At the time my gym was only open from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the evenings. That's not the schedule for a full-time fighter."If you really want this, you have to go in and make it a lifestyle, and I brought that mentality back with me."It took me over a decade to align with Tyson and Rob, guys who are like-minded, want the belts and put the work in to get the belts."And you're seeing good team chemistry and what can happen when a group of people get together for a like-minded goal."Kattar told Insider that internet rumors that he's from money are overplayed, and that his net worth isn't near a million … yet. His story, he said, may not be a rags to riches one, but it's hardly riches to stitches, either."People think I started with riches but that's not the case, it's definitely not the case. Maybe not rags, but I had to work for everything I had, and I've earned everything in front of me."If you Google me it says I'm worth a million, well … I'd like to see some of that damn money."I never wanted to have to fight for money, but I'd be lying if I said that wasn't a big part of the motivation at this point because it's life-changing money."I never had these opportunities to make the money I can through fighting, and am just trying to get things that I never had for me and the people I want to share them with."Now I have the opportunity to do that. These are big-moment fights, the paydays are getting there, and this is make-or-break."Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/conor-mcgregor-confirms-talks-with-manny-pacquiao-for-mega-fight-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor confirms talks with Manny Pacquiao over a $250 million world championship boxing match</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/tyson-chartier-vows-to-make-2021-a-coming-out-party-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">One of the US' best MMA coaches has vowed to make 2021 a coming-out party for his 2 top tier fighters</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/jake-pauls-merciless-trolling-of-conor-mcgregors-team-continues-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jake Paul's merciless trolling of Conor McGregor's fight team continues as he belittles the Irishman's sparring partner </a><a href="https://www.insider.com/georges-st-pierre-says-he-never-enjoyed-fighting-in-ufc-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Georges St. Pierre says he used to cry before bouts early in his career and never enjoyed fighting in the UFC</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/khabib-nurmagomedov-had-100-million-offer-to-fight-floyd-mayweather-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Khabib Nurmagomedov had a $100 million offer to fight Floyd Mayweather and Dana White was 'on board,' says manager</a>

'UFC Champion-in-waiting' Calvin Kattar still uses lessons he learned from training with the Diaz brothers more than a decade ago

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Calvin Kattar juggles two jobs — fighting and promoting.</li><li>When he's not kicking asses in the <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword>, he's trying to get his local combat <keyword id="6356028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports">sports</keyword> promotion Combat Zone up and running as he wants to give back to the firm which developed him as an athlete.</li><li>One of the lessons he wants to instill in the local fighters — to just stay ready as you never know when a short notice offer arrives.</li><li>It is a lesson he follows himself as he spoke to Insider while wrapping his hands, getting ready for a training session, just in case he gets a call to fight one of the top featherweight guys in the UFC.</li><li>Kattar has one eye on <keyword id="3893073" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="max-holloway">Max Holloway</keyword> and wants to get the one big fight that leads him to a UFC title shot.</li></ul>Calvin Kattar is a reflection of his nickname "The Boston Finisher" in more ways than one.Boston, Massachusetts is a blue-collar city renowned for producing a hard-working, teak-tough, and scrappy population.Few typify that as much as Kattar, an expert striker in the UFC who juggles fighting full-time with a combat sports promotion he used to fight in and now owns — the New Hampshire-based Combat Zone.While the big firms like the UFC appear to thrive in the pandemic era, the smaller, regional companies are hit hard as they rely on ticket sales and lack the benefit of having big broadcast partners like ESPN.Organizations like Kattar's are yet to restart operations as they wait until mass gatherings are permitted again, to ensure they do not make losses on events.Regardless, Kattar continues to work behind-the-scenes not only on his Combat Zone company, but his mentoring of the athletes who fight under his banner.When he spoke to Insider in September, he sat down inside UFC's training center in Las Vegas, propped his camera-phone on the bench, and wrapped his hands as he told us the importance of continually-sharpening one's skillset and always staying ready in the current climate.<h2>Fresh from a Fight Island win, Kattar targets his next opponent</h2><div type="image" title="When is Calvin Kattar's next fight" height="1000" width="1500" msid="78667479" hostid="261"></div>If you like violence, you'll like Kattar.In his most recent bout at <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/fight-island" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fight Island</a> on July 15, <a href="https://www.insider.com/photo-calvin-kattar-cut-dan-iges-face-open-with-boxing-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kattar landed 70 strikes on Dan Ige's face and left his opponent with a swollen eye</a>, countless cuts, and many bruises.It was a big performance from a man steadily-climbing the UFC's featherweight rankings. He is the division's No.6 fighter and is targeting a bout against the No.1 contender Max Holloway.But though he beat up Ige, the nature of his fan-friendly, battle-fantastic mentality means he did not leave the Flash Forum in Abu Dhabi unscathed. His nose was a bloody mess. So too were his fists."Oh yeah, he opened up my nose," Kattar told Insider before shrugging off more injuries like they're nothing. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4yJAfKLFwE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">He's used to broken bones</a>."There was a little bit [of damage] on my hands. Knicks and knacks. Nothing too crazy."Kattar enjoyed the war with Ige. He lives for the moments he can show off his crisp Muay Thai."Ige's a tough kid, I take nothing from him. He was on a six-fight win streak. A tough man. But I got the win, I'm glad, and we move on to the next. I felt good overall. I'd rather be a little bit sore off a win than healthy off a loss. So these were good problems to have."Then I was rehabbing, making sure my body is nice and strong, hopefully before another strong camp and a quality opponent before the year's end."Before Kattar spoke to Insider he had been on vacation, taking time-out after a tough camp and his Fight Island assignment.It was his second bout in the pandemic. Earlier in the coronavirus-era of fighting, <a href="https://www.insider.com/photo-calvin-kattar-cut-dan-iges-face-open-with-boxing-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he mercilessly battered Jeremy Stephens with the tip of his elbow</a>.Kattar's on a roll this year, and even though he went with his buddy to a beach house in Massachusetts and ate pizza under the sun to relax, he still got light recovery work-outs done, went running, and did bike work.These days he's training like he's got a fight, even though one's not yet booked. It's a lesson he wants to instill in his local Combat Zone athletes in New Hampshire.<h2>'Chaos is what us fighters are used to'</h2><div type="image" title="Cavlin Kattar next fight Max Holloway" height="1030" width="1500" msid="78667482" hostid="261"></div>Kattar said a pandemic lifestyle hardly affects fighters as it can often be a lonely lifestyle of 4 a.m. starts, getting out in the dark of the night and running on an empty road with nothing but your thoughts."It's just normal, man," he said. "Chaos is what us fighters are used to on a daily basis. Social-distancing and self-isolation … that's the fighter's lifestyle."So really, if anything, this afforded the guys who are serious about the game to focus and really dial in on what they're doing."For everybody else, it gave them an excuse to not put in the work and sit on the sidelines."I'm busy, controlling the things I can control, putting in the work, and just taking every opportunity put in front of me because they don't always come around and when they do, you've got to grab them."I tell these guys to stay ready. You see me … we're staying ready over here. Trying to be ready for any opportunity. That's what you do as an athlete. Be ready for any moment which comes."Combat Zone has held two events so far this year, having held four last year. It remains unclear when Kattar will be able to hold events again, even though he's been speaking to the government about partial fan allowances at the gate."We're really trying to get creative with how we can get things up and running," he said. "But you can only do so much as the State requires and allows. We're really at their mercy, but we're doing all we can."I just want to do what [the UFC President] Dana White's done which is keep the guys busy and my goal is to afford them the opportunities that I got, which is to create a platform so they can compete and then hopefully come out here and experience the UFC Performance Institute and all it has to offer."Kattar wants to build Combat Zone into a feeder league for the company he fights for. He wants local talent from where he's from to get matches on Dana White's Contender Series, or to even get a call-up to the UFC itself."I'm trying to bridge the gap from Combat Zone to the UFC. It's not for everyone. Not everyone's going to make it but we've got to help the ones who want to work and point them in the right direction."Kattar said they've been speaking to local authorities about bringing fans into small arenas. "We're in talks about that now. We're eyeing a hopeful date by the end of the year."One of the problems is that they'll get meetings booked, the preparatory work done, but any rise in coronavirus infection rates could shut things down at the last minute.Kattar said he'll do the work that is necessary even if it gets canceled by things he cannot control. He just wants to give back to the organization which shaped him as an athlete."Combat Zone changed my life in so many ways and I just want to provide these guys with the same opportunity. It really gives me that second wind and I see myself in a lot of these guys come showtime when I host these events."<h2>Kattar keeps an eye on the rankings and likes a Max Holloway fight</h2><div type="image" title="Max Holloway UFC" height="1404" width="2000" msid="78667484" hostid="261"></div>Kattar described the promoting business as "a whole other beast" but said there were similarities with fighting as both require you to surround yourself with a great team that you can trust."I'm excited to go back to promoting shows and providing normalcy to people who just want to go out and see sporting events, for athletes to compete again, and hearing a crowd when you get a big win — that's special. I hope we can get back to that."But in the mean time, just got to focus on what you control."What Kattar can control right now is his training, staying ready for when he gets an opportunity — one which might even come at short notice.He told Insider he wanted to compete in a rematch against Zabit Magomedsharipov during the ongoing Fight Island festival, but said he did not think the other team wanted it.Now he's just targeting anybody in the top-5 — particularly Max Holloway, who is ranked No.1.He wants that one fight, and win, which forces a title shot against whoever the champion happens to be. It is currently Alexander Volkanovski."That's the goal — who's the guy who gets me to him. It could be Max Holloway. Some people think he's still the champ after the last fight, and anybody who goes in there against Max, and wins, deserves the next title shot."If everyone else is busy, who knows, maybe the stars align there. I think it pays being busy."Kattar has two big wins over Stephens and Ige since dropping a decision to Magomedsharipov."Since Zabit and me fought I got two wins and a win over Max leapfrogs me ahead of Zabit to fight the champ."But we know how that s--- goes. It's hard to get lost in all that, so it's best to stay busy in the gym, doing sessions, and not think about the fights that will get picked or not."We'll hope for the highest-ranked guy for the most amount of money — just keep it simple, man. I try to give the fans the things that we see."Everyone loves a good knockout and that's what I give. I fight guys like they owe me money."We're working twice as hard, fighting the best guys in the world, and I couldn't be happier."Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/video-watch-multiple-angles-of-joaquin-buckleys-extraordinary-ko-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">There are now multiple angles of Joaquin Buckley's video game knockout dubbed one of the best finishes in UFC history</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-tom-breese-scores-hammer-fist-ko-on-fight-island-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A 29-year-old floored his UFC opponent with a jab, then hit his skull with hammer fists until the referee waved the bout off for good</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-tom-aspinall-battered-alan-baudot-in-95-seconds-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A heavy-hitting heavyweight destroyed his UFC opponent in 95 seconds but looked moody and annoyed after the win</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-chris-daukaus-scores-45-second-ko-on-fight-island-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">An American cop called Chris Daukaus remains unbeaten in the UFC after scoring a brutal 45-second knockout on Fight Island</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/cory-sandhagens-fight-island-win-was-a-ufc-masterclass-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cory Sandhagen scored a highlight-reel spinning wheel kick, then hit his UFC opponent with even more punches on the ground</a>

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