Three things we learned from UFC Fight Island 7: Holloway vs Kattar

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Saturday night’s UFC was an absolutely superb fight card. Despite Fight Island 7 being the first card of 2021, it packed a serious punch with the main-event having ‘Fight of the Year’ potential.

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Max ‘Blessed’ Holloway (22-6) faced-off against fellow Featherweight title contender Calvin ‘The Boston Finisher’ Kattar (22-5) in the card’s main-event.

‘Blessed’ was back to his best as he picked Kattar apart over the duration of five-rounds which saw the Hawaiian awarded three 10-8 rounds and claim a unanimous 50-42 victory.

Not only did the former Featherweight champion put on a remarkable display, the 29-year-old landed a whopping 445 significant strikes; a new record.

Other highlight bouts included the long-awaited return of Santiago Ponzinibbio (27-4), who matched-up against Jingliang Li (18-6) and an all-vetran co-main event featuring Carlos Condor (32-13) and Matt Brown (22-18).

UFC Fight Island 7 main-card full results:

Featherweight: Max Holloway def. Calvin Kattar via unanimous decision

Welterweight: Carlos Condit def. Matt Brown via unanimous decision

Welterweight: Jingliang Li def. Santiago Ponzinibbio via KO/TKO (Round one)

Middleweight: Alessio Di Chirico def. Joaquin Buckley via KO/TKO (Round one)

Middleweight: Punahele Soriano def. Dusko Todorovic via KO/TKO (Round one)

In light of Saturday’s incredible night of violence, we have looked at three key things we’ve learned.

1. Holloway is incredible!

It’s easy to hype a fighter up after one good performance, but let’s not forget, Holloway has been doing this his entire career.

Despite Saturday night’s main-event against Kattar being arguably ‘Blessed’s’ best performance to date, should Alexander Volkanovski defend his title against Brian Ortega in March, fans can expect to be treated to a trilogy match-up.

Holloway’s stunning technical masterclass saw him attempt a massive 746 strikes and land 455 of them.

There was even a moment during the fifth round which saw the Hawaiian unleashed a ‘no-look’ combo whilst still ducking Kattar’s strikes.

Saturday night’s version of Holloway is a scary prospect for the 145lb division and I would not bet against ‘Blessed’ reclaiming his title at some point during the next 12-months.

Pictures courtesy of ESPN

2. Ponzinibbio has forgotten how to pull the trigger

Due to medical issues, the talented South American hasn’t fought in two-and-a-half years and facing ‘The Leech’ is no easy task, therefore, i’m reluctant to be too harsh.

However, having been knocked out in the first-round by a vicious Li, the previously unbeaten in seven South American looked a shadow of his former self.

I’m not just talking mythical ‘ring-rust’ here folks. I mean, Ponzinibbio looked like he had forgotten how to let his hands go.

Li’s win could see him break into the Welterweight division’s top 15 rankings, but what next for Ponzinibbio?

Well, his next opponent won’t be confirmed for awhile yet whilst he undoubtedly serves a medical suspension.

However, the 34-year-old needs another fight and soon. It’s vitally important for the Argentinian powerhouse to get back into the win column as soon as possible.

Pictures courtesy of ESPN

3. Punahele Soriano is a problem for the Middleweight division

What a brilliant second performance in the UFC for the American!

Extending his unbeaten record to (8-0), Soriano put on a show against a very respectable Dusko Todorovic (10-1).

The 28-year-old unleashed a barrage of pin-point strikes throughout the duration of the opening round before finally knocking his opponent out.

Punahele’s performance on Saturday night was a stunning display of pace-pushing and striking accuracy, however, perhaps too soon to line him up against a top 15 fighter, it won’t be long until you see ‘Story Time’ in the mix again, that is for sure.

Pictures courtesy of ESPN

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