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On Saturday, Calvin Kattar got back to winning ways with an excellent display over highly-rated contender Giga Chikadze. The win saw Kattar bounce back from his loss to Max Holloway and he is now poised for a big fight next time out.
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Kattar's performance was exactly what he needed. He put his one-sided defeat to Holloway behind him with a similarly one-sided win over Chikadze. Going into the bout, many had suggested the Georgian deserved to be in the title picture but it is now the American who features in that discussion.
As good as the win was, Kattar is not likely to be challenging for the title in his next fight. He ought to look for a step up in competition that gets him closer to the belt. The 33-year-old is also in a position where he might be able to raise his profile by taking on one of the big names in the featherweight division.
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Here are five potential opponents for Calvin Kattar after his latest win:
#5. Calvin Kattar vs. Chan Sung Jung
'The Korean Zombie' Chan Sung Jung is scheduled to face Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC featherweight championship at UFC 273 on April 9. This presents some issues for a potential bout with Kattar.
For starters, as good as Kattar's performance was, he won't be challenging for the title in his next bout, meaning if Zombie wins in April, we'll have to wait for this matchup. Additionally, given the date of the title fight, Kattar will have to be okay with waiting until the second half of 2022 to face 'The Korean Zombie'.
However, should 'The Korean Zombie' lose at UFC 273 he will become exactly the sort of opponent that Kattar should be facing next. Kattar has proven he is ready to get back in there with elite level competition and Chan Sung Jung would most certainly provide him with that.
#4. Calvin Kattar vs. Arnold Allen
Calvin Kattar and Arnold Allen may be two of the most underrated fighters in the UFC featherweight division. While Kattar may be seeking an opponent higher in the rankings for his next bout, Allen is on the cusp of the top five and given he's undefeated in the UFC, a win over the Englishman would hold plenty of value.
Once again, there are some potential issues with this matchup. Arnold Allen is expected to fight on March 19 and should he lose, this bout could be off the table. Additionally, it once again means Calvin Kattar will have to be okay with at least a five-month wait before he next steps foot inside the octagon.
However, if everything works out, these two could meet in a big bout of top contenders seeking to enter the title conversation. In a division where many of the top guys are established names in the sport, this bout would provide the perfect springboard for either man to to fight those big names.
#3. Calvin Kattar vs. Josh Emmett
Josh Emmett is another featherweight who may not get the credit he deserves. The 36-year-old is right behind Kattar in the rankings and is on a four-fight winning streak that had some putting his name forward for a potential title shot.
Emmett last fought in December 2021 and is yet to have his next bout booked. This means him and Kattar could get back in there as soon as they are ready, which could be appealing if they are seeking to be active.
On top of that, this is another bout that will ensure the winner gets a big time opportunity. Whoever comes out on top would be very much in the title conversation and would at least guarantee themselves a big name in their next fight.
#2. Calvin Kattar vs. Brian Ortega
Calvin Kattar has earned the opportunity to get back to fighting some of the top stars in the featherweight division. Brian Ortega last fought for the title back at UFC 266. He cemented his status as one of the best featherweights on the planet, despite missing out on the gold.
This fight seems like it would make a lot of sense for both men. Kattar would have the chance to earn the biggest win of his career thus far and put his name forward for a title shot. For Ortega, it would be an opportunity to bounce back in a big way, without having to face a much lower-ranked opponent.
Neither man currently has a bout scheduled so, once again, this could take place as soon as they were ready. It's a fight that seems like it would be a logical next step for either man and so could easily end up being the next fight we see Calvin Kattar in.
#1. Calvin Kattar vs. Yair Rodríguez
Yair Rodríguez is another fighter who is an established star at the top of the featherweight division. He, like Kattar, recently suffered defeat at the hands of Max Holloway. This bout would provide a great opportunity for both men to distance themselves from those losses and jump back into the title picture.
It seems natural to compare these two fighters given their mutual losses to Holloway. Rodríguez had the better showing against Holloway and is a higher-profile name than Kattar. The American, however, is coming off a win, meaning both men are in similar spots.
On top of that, the fight these two would put on would be an absolute must-see. Both men are decorated strikers who have proven they are quite happy to get into intense wars inside the octagon. It is to be seen if this is Kattar's next bout or not. However, this is a fight that should be booked at some point.
