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More Fantasy News
Loses Boston opponent
Kattar's opponent in the co-main event at UFC Boston, Zabit Magomedsharipov, withdrew from the fight Friday, Nolan King of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
It looks like the Kattar is on track to be completely scrapped from the Boston card with the fight just over one month away. UFC Moscow, which takes place in November, is the leading candidate for where the fight is going to be rebooked, although nothing is official yet.
It looks like the Kattar is on track to be completely scrapped from the Boston card with the fight just over one month away. UFC Moscow, which takes place in November, is the leading candidate for where the fight is going to be rebooked, although nothing is official yet.
To co-main event UFC Boston
Kattar will face off against Zabit Magomedsharipov in a featherweight matchup in the co-main event at UFC Boston, Nolan King of MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Kattar, a New England native, should feel some home-cage advantage in this one. It will the second time he has fought in his home state, as he defeated Shane Burgos previously. The 31-year-old has won back-to-back fights after suffering his first UFC loss to Renato Moicano, and is 4-1 (three finishes) with the company. He'll take on one of the UFC's most highly-regarded prospects in Magomedsharipov, who is a perfect 5-0 with three post-fight bonuses to his name. Kattar has a slight edge in volume striking numbers, but is more than willing to get hit in order to land shots of his own. Zabit has much better striking defense, in addition to a far superior grappling game (more than six takedowns per 15 minutes). Kattar will look to counter with his 80 percent takedown defense, though he has yet to face a wrestler of Zabit's caliber. The winner will end up one step closer to a shot at champion Max Holloway, especially if the victory is earned in convincing fashion.
Kattar, a New England native, should feel some home-cage advantage in this one. It will the second time he has fought in his home state, as he defeated Shane Burgos previously. The 31-year-old has won back-to-back fights after suffering his first UFC loss to Renato Moicano, and is 4-1 (three finishes) with the company. He'll take on one of the UFC's most highly-regarded prospects in Magomedsharipov, who is a perfect 5-0 with three post-fight bonuses to his name. Kattar has a slight edge in volume striking numbers, but is more than willing to get hit in order to land shots of his own. Zabit has much better striking defense, in addition to a far superior grappling game (more than six takedowns per 15 minutes). Kattar will look to counter with his 80 percent takedown defense, though he has yet to face a wrestler of Zabit's caliber. The winner will end up one step closer to a shot at champion Max Holloway, especially if the victory is earned in convincing fashion.
Shows next level hands
Kattar defeated Ricardo Lamas via TKO (Punches) at 4:06 of Round 1 at UFC 238 on Saturday in Chicago.
ANALYSIS
This was a very impressive performance from Kattar. Lamas is a veteran and many thought he would give Kattar some trouble. That did not turn out to be the case. Kattar seemed to have control of the distance from the start. Once he started throwing two-punch combinations, he really took control. He came forward and stunned Lamas from a jab. That punch put Lamas in the path of a hard hook that dropped Lamas and effectively ended the fight. Kattar is now 4-1 in the UFC.
This was a very impressive performance from Kattar. Lamas is a veteran and many thought he would give Kattar some trouble. That did not turn out to be the case. Kattar seemed to have control of the distance from the start. Once he started throwing two-punch combinations, he really took control. He came forward and stunned Lamas from a jab. That punch put Lamas in the path of a hard hook that dropped Lamas and effectively ended the fight. Kattar is now 4-1 in the UFC.
Draws Ricardo Lamas in Chicago
Kattar will take on Ricardo Lamas in a featherweight matchup at UFC 238 on June 8 in Chicago, Phillip Thompson of the Chicago Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
Kattar has won three of his four UFC bouts, with his only hiccup coming against Renato Moicano -- the promotions No. 5 ranked 145-pounder. He'll put his skills to the test once against against a veteran of the sport in Lamas, entering the bout with height and reach advantages. While Lamas has been susceptible to the takedown over his last two fights, that's not really an aspect of the game that Kattar has used during his time with the promotion. Instead, look for Kattar to employ a fan-friendly style of volume striking, with the only downside being he's willing to absorb punishment in order to land strikes of his own. This style has made Kattar a solid fantasy play, and that could be the case yet again, especially for those who view the 36-year-old Lamas as a fighter on the decline.
Kattar has won three of his four UFC bouts, with his only hiccup coming against Renato Moicano -- the promotions No. 5 ranked 145-pounder. He'll put his skills to the test once against against a veteran of the sport in Lamas, entering the bout with height and reach advantages. While Lamas has been susceptible to the takedown over his last two fights, that's not really an aspect of the game that Kattar has used during his time with the promotion. Instead, look for Kattar to employ a fan-friendly style of volume striking, with the only downside being he's willing to absorb punishment in order to land strikes of his own. This style has made Kattar a solid fantasy play, and that could be the case yet again, especially for those who view the 36-year-old Lamas as a fighter on the decline.
Scores first-round finish at UFC Moncton
Kattar defeated Chris Fishgold via TKO (punches) at 4:11 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Moncton, New Brunswick.
ANALYSIS
For most of the early portion of this fight, it looked like Fishgold was going to control the striking portions of this fight. However, late in the round, Kattar was able to catch Fishgold with punches while he was going for a takedown. Fishgold paused and dropped to the ground. Kattar sensed his chance and pounced all over his opponent. Kattar has now gone 3-1 in the UFC after making his debut on short notice.
For most of the early portion of this fight, it looked like Fishgold was going to control the striking portions of this fight. However, late in the round, Kattar was able to catch Fishgold with punches while he was going for a takedown. Fishgold paused and dropped to the ground. Kattar sensed his chance and pounced all over his opponent. Kattar has now gone 3-1 in the UFC after making his debut on short notice.