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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Matt Erickson and John Morgan

Calvin Kattar laments slow start at UFC 249, but hopes Stephens KO leads to bigger things

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Calvin Kattar beat Jeremy Stephens with a xxx Saturday on the main card at UFC 249 in Jacksonville, Fla.

Take a look inside the fight with Kattar, who got back in the win column and handed Stephens his fourth straight loss.

Result: Calvin Kattar def. Jeremy Stephens via knockout (strikes) – Round 2, 2:42
Updated records: Kattar (21-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC), Stephens (28-18 MMA, 15-17 UFC)
Key stat: Stephens won a close striking battle, 57-52, but Kattar landed the big ones that counted to put him out.

Kattar on the fight’s key moment

“Once I started finding my range, I capitalized on a big shot. I looked down, he was facing up, and I finished the job.”

Kattar on starting a little slow

“I feel like I let one go with Zabit (Magomedsharipov) in Russia. I just feel like I ran out of time, and I wasn’t going to let that happen here. My coach told me to let it go, and I felt like did that (Saturday). It was adding up out there. It takes me a couple of hits to get going out there. I wish that wasn’t the case, but it is.”

Kattar on what he wants next

“New England cartel is here to stay! Hopefully I climb up to that top five. I’d like a shot at an ‘Ultimate Fighter’ (winner) or someone big.”

To hear more from Kattar, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

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