Max Holloway puts on legendary performance, bludgeons Calvin Kattar over five rounds
Former UFC featherweight Max Holloway fought like he had a point to prove in Abu Dhabi and that he did as he dominated and dismantled a tough Calvin Kattar over five rounds.
Kattar, who many had thought was going to give Holloway trouble on the night, had little chance to impose any form of prolonged attack on his opponent as he was picked apart by the Hawaiian.
Holloway used every tool in his striking arsenal to flood Kattar’s defences.
Punching combinations, spinning back kicks, hellacious elbows, crushing knees – Holloway threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Kattar. The Bostonian somehow never fell nor succumbed to the blows being delivered his way as he tried his best to fight back.
That was all in vain, though, as Holloway rightly earned a unanimous decision victory with the scorecards reflecting his dominance. The judges scored the contest 50-43, 50-43 and 50-24 – scores signifying how one-sided this contest was.
Holloway’s stock is now arguably even higher that it was when he was champion after putting on such a performance. Kattar will be licking his wounds, but will no doubt be looking for blood when he makes his return to the Octagon.
Carlos Condit outgrapples Matt Brown en route to decision win
In a battle of two tough, hardy veterans, Carlos Condit came out on top over Matt Brown on Saturday night.
In the co-main event, Brown initiated a takedown early on in the bout which set the tone for much of it.
Brown totted up some nice ground and pound to Condit whose back was to the mat, but the latter managed to gain the upper hand in the grappling stakes towards the end of the round which set the tone for the rest of the fight.
Condit took Brown’s lead and clearly felt he had the stronger abilities on the mat so sought after takedowns in the final two rounds and controlled a fatigued Brown on the canvas and in any striking skirmishes on the feet.
The New Mexico native was awarded a unanimous decision win, with scores of 30-27 across the board, to post consecutive victories for the first time since 2012.
Li Jingliang moves up UFC rankings after KO win over Santiago Ponzinibbio
We hadn’t seen welterweight contender Santiago Ponzinibbio in the Octagon since 2018 after he battled injuries and related issues that popped up as a result. However, Li Jingliang didn’t provide a happy return for the Argentine.
In what was an international affair befitting of Fight Island, China’s Li patiently exchanged jabs and leg kicks with Ponzinibbio until it was time to strike and strike hard.
Ponzinibbio whiffed on a right hand only to be met with Li’s crushing left hook to the chin which left him crumpled on the canvas.
Li followed up with a sole hammerfist only for referee Jason Herzog to call a stop to the contest in the first round before any further undue punishment was delivered.
Alessio Di Chirico hands Joaquin Buckley highlight reel head kick KO
Joaquin Buckley made mainstream headlines in 2020 with his spectacular knockout of the year candidate against Impa Kasanganay, but it was the American who fell victim to a stunning head kick this time around.
Italy’s Alessio Di Chirico was on a three-fight losing skid going into the fight and was expected to be fodder for the streaking Buckley.
Di Chirico had other ideas and brought the fight to a quick close in the first round after slamming his shin into the side of Buckley’s head.
After some follow-up punches on the floor, the contest was stopped and handed Di Chirico his first win in the Octagon since 2018.
Punahele Soriano scores spectacular KO win over newcomer Dusko Todorovic
Punahele Soriano wasn’t in a welcoming mood for Dusko Todorovic’s arrival on the UFC scene.
Someone’s 0 had to go in Abu Dhabi and Dana White’s Contender Series alum Soriano was determined to make sure it was his Serbian rival’s as he make quick work of the newcomer.
Soriano quickly found a home for his punches as his forward pressure had Todorovic on the back foot from the very start of the fight.
Todorovic’s head was continually met with straight punches through his guard and was knocked down on multiple occasions before one final blow from Soriano was enough for referee Herb Dean to intervene.
Impressive victory for Soriano, whose unbeaten record moves to 8-0.
UFC on ABC: Holloway vs. Kattar full results
Featherweight: Max Holloway def. Calvin Kattar by unanimous decision after five rounds
Welterweight: Carlos Condit def. Matt Brown by unanimous decision after three rounds
Welterweight: Li Jingliang def. Santiago Ponzinibbio by KO (punch) at 4:25 of round one
Middleweight: Alessio Di Chirico def. Joaquin Buckley by KO (head kick) at 2:12 of round one
Middleweight: Punahele Soriano def. Duško Todorović by TKO (punches) at 4:48 of round one
Women’s Bantamweight: Joselyne Edwards def. Wu Yanan by unanimous decision after three rounds
Heavyweight: Carlos Felipe def. Justin Tafa by split decision after three rounds
Welterweight: Ramazan Emeev def. David Zawada by split decision after three rounds
Women’s Bantamweight: Vanessa Melo def. Sarah Moras by unanimous decision after three rounds
Featherweight: Austin Lingo def. Jacob Kilburn by unanimous decision after three rounds