Calvin Kattar will not attempt to convince himself of a title fight. But if UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski really wants to take on the best contenders in the division, he’s up for the challenge.
Following a unanimous decision victory over Dan Ige in the UFC main event on ESPN 13, the Massachusetts native was quick to throw his name on the hat as a possible 145-pound title challenger.
Last Saturday, Volkanovski successfully defended his belt for the first time with a victory over former champion Max Holloway and made it clear afterwards that his goal is to clear the world’s best fighters in his weight class.
Kattar has never been so great talking about trash, and is unwilling to start now, so his message to Volkanovski was crystal clear.
“I mean if I make my case, I don’t have to do it with my mouth,” Kattar told the UFC at the ESPN 13 post-fight press conference. “I do it in the cage. Like all these other guys, everyone talks. Where I’m from, we don’t really talk too much about things. Get out and try it. You earn it. Here, that’s not really the business model, so it’s a bit of an adjustment for me. I go out, fight and try to win every opportunity in front of me.
“The champion should see that. He says he wants contenders. You won’t find a smarter one than me.
While jumping through the weight classes has become fashionable these days, as champions seek to win titles in multiple divisions, Volkanovski is committed to featherweight and wrestlers seeking his title.
Kattar absolutely respects that of him, which is why he feels there is a legitimate chance that a title shot will come his way.
“I respect his mentality as the champion,” said Kattar. “She says she wants contenders. He’s not trying to jump around other weight classes like everyone else is today, which he doesn’t hate either. Two belts sounds great. But I respect the fact that he wants to go out there and fight the contenders in his weight class and he has one in me.
“He wants to earn it. I think we are similar in that fact. I think it would be a good opportunity to go out there and compete against him. I proved that I can go five rounds. I just want more opportunities for great moments. I’m ready for five round fights and main events. “
Kattar cannot be sure that it caught Volkanovski’s attention after his victory on Wednesday night. But with four wins in his last five fights, Kattar feels he has shown that he belongs to the top echelon of the featherweight division and that it is only a matter of time before he knocks on the door of the title race.
“I know I’m on the radar for these guys,” Kattar said. “I have a problem to deal with, and everyone begins to realize that they will have to deal with me soon.
“I keep winning, they can’t deny me. That was my mindset when entering the UFC. I did not ask to enter the UFC. I just said that if I keep winning, they won’t deny me. They cannot deny me. There is nothing they can do if you keep winning. That is what I am doing now. If you don’t want to give me a title shot now, go out and get another win. They can’t keep denying me forever. Hopefully the top five after this fight and that’s a short list. “
Outside of Holloway, who just fought for the title last weekend, no other contender ranked in the top five at featherweight has competed in 2020. Meanwhile, Kattar is 2-0 this year, and believes Volkanovski should take note.
“Who is my competition?” Kattar said. “No one has been busy in 2020. I think I am doing well competing, winning opportunities and I really can’t say much for everyone else in the division.”
