MMA Preview – Calvin Kattar vs Aljamain Sterling at UFC 300
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CALVIN KATTAR VS ALJAMAIN STERLING FACTS
When is UFC 300? Sunday 14th April, 2024 - 01:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 300? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 300? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 300
What channel is UFC 300 on? TNT Sports 1
Where can I stream UFC 300? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
CALVIN KATTAR VS ALJAMAIN STERLING LOWDOWN
All of the wars seemed to finally catch up on Calvin Kattar (23-7). He went to battle with numerous featherweight contenders and had three ‘Fight of the Night’ displays in a row. He got outclassed by Max Holloway (2021) before putting on one of his best performances to date against Giga Chikadze (2022) earning a unanimous decision. He then fell short in a split decision against Josh Emmett (2022) which led to his fight with Arnold Allen (2022). Unfortunately, he blew his knee out in the second round, and we have not seen him since.
Aljamain Sterling (23-4) welcomes him back to the cage as he dips his toe into the featherweight waters. He put an incredible run together down at bantamweight gaining more title defences than fans. After eventually closing the Petr Yan (2022) case with a split decision, he went on to defend the belt against TJ Dillashaw (2022) and Henry Cejudo (2023). He then welcomed Sean O’Malley (2023) for his fourth defence and was clinically knocked out into another division.
CALVIN KATTAR VS ALJAMAIN STERLING PREDICTION
It will be fascinating to see Sterling perform against the featherweights. He was a big and powerful bantamweight and will be even stronger with 10 less pounds to cut.
Kattar is four inches taller but will only have a one-inch reach advantage. He is clearly the better striker, but it will be his takedown defence that wins him this fight. It is an impressive 91% but he has not come across someone as relentless as Sterling before and coming off that nasty knee injury is a real worry.
This is a terrible match-up for Kattar to come back to. If his knee is compromised in any way, Sterling will capitalize. That is not just with takedowns, but on the feet. Sterling is an unorthodox striker and will leverage that to get Kattar off balance and jump on his back.
All that considering, Kattar’s boxing is so good, we can see a shock knockout. However, we expect Sterling’s grappling to get the job done and although Kattar has not been submitted in 16 years, the former bantamweight champ may just wrap something up.
Prediction: Sterling via Submission
Value bet: Kattar via KO/TKO
