UFC Fight Island 7: Main Card Summary

The important details for this weekend’s UFC Fight Island 7 fights

Saturday will see the return of the UFC after a three week break. Broadcasting from Fight Island Abu Dhabi, the UFC will see fans in attendance for the first time since UFC 248 last March. This week’s fight card will also be the first in the company’s history to air live on ABC. Former Featherweight king Max Holloway looks to get back on the path to glory. He faces Calvin Kattar in the five-round main event who is looking to continue his ascension of the rankings.

There is plenty of action on Saturday’s UFC Fight Island 7, with an array of entertaining bouts from top to bottom. So we’re going to give you the important details to every fight on the main card.

Main Card:

Max Halloway (21-6) vs Calvin Kattar (22-4)

In their last 5:

Holloway: LLWLW

Kattar: WWLWW

Betting odds: Holloway (-150) vs Kattar (+130)

Max Holloway background: Max Holloway is coming off back-to-back losses against current featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. After dominating the division for years, Max will feel he is capable of regaining that title. A win against up and coming Cattar will prove he is still a top contender in a stacked division.

Stylistically, Max is a volume heavy kickboxer. His great cardio and impressive takedown defense allows him to keep fights where he wants them, standing. Holloway has not been finished in his UFC career.

Calvin Kattar background: Kattar has found success since narrowly losing to Zabit Magomedsharipov in a three round main event in November 2019. He has gone on to get a KO win over UFC veteran Jeremy Stephens and beating Dan Ige on points. A win over the number one contender and former champion would have him knocking on the door for a title shot.

Kattar is a fantastic boxer. Using his sharp combinations he works the body and head. His timing and precision is dangerous for opponents as opponents often get caught stepping in with uppercuts and hooks.

Carlos Condit (31-13) vs Matt Brown (24-17)

In their last 5:

Condit: WLLLL

Brown: LWWLL

Betting odds: Condit (-165) vs Brown (+145)

Carlos Condit background: After being out of the octagon for almost two years, Condit fought Court McGee to a decision win. It was the former interim welterweight champion’s first win since 2015. This will be the last fight on Condit’s current UFC contract.

Condit is a kickboxer, who throws unorthodox strikes. He has been threatening from the bottom in the past when taken down.

Matt Brown background: Like Condit, Brown is approaching the end of his long UFC career. Brown has had impressive wins in the past including spectacular knockouts. Brown is a true veteran of the game and will look for a high profile win over Condit.

Brown’s style is also primarily kickboxing based. He is more othodox however and likes to fight on the front foot.

Santiago Ponzinibbio (28-3) vs Lee Jingliang (17-6)

In their last 5:

Ponzinibbio: WWWWW

Jingliang : LWWWL

Betting odds: Ponzinibbio (-280) vs Jingliang (+240)

Santiago Ponzinibbio background: Argentine fighter Ponzinibbio looked to be a serious welterweight contender before his two year lay off. The last time we saw Santiago, he had an impressive performance as he knocked out Neil Magny. He will look to go above and beyond the level he reached last time, a win would set him on the right track.

Ponzinibbio has sharp, powerful hands. He tends to work his boxing and his heavy leg kicks very well together. He is also a BJJ blackbelt.

Lee Jingliang background: Jingliang’s last outing was also against Neil Magny, however he was on the losing side as Magny took the decision on points. Despite the loss, Jingliang’s other impressive wins still indicate he is capable of being a ranked fighter in a few good wins.

The fighter from China is a forward moving, heavy hitter. Primarily a boxer, Jingliang has a good clinch game to his name also.

Joaquin Buckley (12-3) vs Alessio Di Chirico (12-5)

In their last 3:

Buckley: WWL

Di Chirico: LLL

Betting odds: Buckley (-265) vs Di Chirico (+225)

Joaquin Buckley background: After a disappointing start to life in the UFC following a loss to Kevin Holland in his debut, Buckley bounced back. His viral knockout of Kasanganay was followed up by another impressive finish of Jordan Wright. Buckley will look to continue his momentum with a win on Saturday.

Buckley is a powerful kickboxer. His high energy pressing keeps his opponents on the backfoot as he often moves forward in flurries.

Alessio Di Chirico background: Italian Di Chirico has had an up and down life in the UFC. He has enjoyed some good wins but his form of late isn’t as promising. A win on Saturday is crucial for Di Chrico, so it should be an all out display.

De Chirico is a patient striker who looks to find an opening for big shots. His strength allows him to be a dominant in the clinch.

Punahele Soriano (7-0) vs Dusko Todorovic (10-0)

In their last 3:

Soriano: WWW

Todorovic: WWW

Betting odds: Soriano (+145) vs Todorovic (-155)

Punahele Soriano background: Following a one year lay off, Soriano returns to UFC action as he looks to extend his winning form. Formerly fighting on Dana White’s Contender Series, he achieved a first round KO in his UFC debut.

He is an aggressive striker you throws volume to look for a finish.

Dusko Todorovic background: Like Soriano, Todorovic has also featured on DWCS. The Serbian managed a second round KO in his UFC debut in October 2020. Nine of his ten wins have come by way of finish.

Todorovic is also an aggressive fighter who has an excellent set of boxing skills.

Donal Long

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