MAX HOLLOWAY and Calvin Kattar went face-to-face this morning ahead of their eagerly-anticipated featherweight showdown.
The pair, 29 and 32 respectively, will throw down on Saturday night in the main event of UFC on ABC 1, which will take place at the brand new Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
And the fan favourites took part in a cordial face-off outside the 18,000 capacity arena early on Thursday morning.
As well as kickstarting the promotion’s third ‘Fight Island’ stint, UFC on ABC 1 will be the inaugural event to be held at the Etihad Arena.
Former featherweight king Holloway will look to snap a two-fight skid against the in-form Kattar, who has won his last two on the bounce.
Despite going into his first outing of the year on the back of consecutive losses to 145lb king Alexander Volkanovski, Holloway is the bookies’ favourite.
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The Hawaiian, however, isn’t expecting an easy night at the office and is refusing to underestimate the Boston bruiser
He said: “Calvin is a dangerous dude, and we know he is dangerous because he will be standing across from me, and I’m excited for it.
“He’s from Boston. People like to talk about his boxing and people like to talk about my boxing.
“Calvin was saying something like I’m overlooking him, this and that.
“I can’t. How can I overlook you? He made it here. I’ve got to respect that.
“At the end of the day, I just can’t wait to fight him. I can’t wait to go in there and see what he has to offer.”
Holloway, also known as, Blessed added: “At the end of the day, we’re fighting five rounds.
“There’s no less work. I’ve got to do the same amount of work, the same amount I’ve been doing for a title fight – the same rules, the same everything.”
