Coach: Only politics can derail Calvin Kattar’s title shot with win over Max Holloway at UFC Fight Island 7

Calvin Kattar will return to the cage to face top-ranked Featherweight contender, Max Holloway, in the main event of UFC Fight Island 7 on Jan. 16, 2021, on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Should Kattar get a win over the former 145-pound champion it will be his third straight, putting him in prime position to fight for his first-ever UFC title. After all, it’s safe to assume that if “Blessed” gets the win, he will be awarded another shot at the belt despite coming up short in his previous two championship bouts.

That’s why Kattar’s head coach, Tyson Chartier, believes the only way Kattar gets the shafted is out of pure politics.

“If it isn’t there is superior politics going on. Brian will get the next shot and we will get the winner,” Chartier told BJPenn.com. “I know Zabit will lobby for it, but we offered to fight him in August and they said no. I told them, that is fine but don’t be surprised when we jump the line, but good luck. We are now in a position to do that. If we beat Max, there is no way anyone can argue that we don’t get the next title shot,” Chartier concluded.

For Kattar, a high-profile match up against Holloway is long overdue, stating it has the feel of a title fight without an actual belt on the line. With a win, though, it could be a shortcut to his first-ever championship bout inside the Octagon.

As it stands, the promotion is looking at booking a 145-pound title fight pitting current champion, Alexander Volkanovksi, taking on top division contender, Brian Ortega, sometime in early 2021.