“Setbacks only motivate me more, so it’s just how I respond to things.” Now that’s the mindset of a fighter who refuses to be broken. Isn’t it? But let’s be real, MMA is brutal. And few know that better than Calvin Kattar, a featherweight warrior who has endured his share of punishment inside the Octagon. After all the wars, what injuries has he suffered, and how is he planning his comeback?

For a while, Kattar looked unstoppable. He stormed through opponents with a 10-fight win streak, establishing himself as one of the division’s most dangerous strikers. But at UFC 223, Renato Moicano halted his momentum, handing him a decision loss. That didn’t stop Kattar, though, he bounced back with statement victories, regaining his rhythm. However, fast forward to today, and he finds himself in a different situation. Three consecutive losses, the latest being a decision defeat to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 300. Now, more than ever, he needs a comeback.

Kattar has always been a tough nail to crack. Gritty, relentless, and willing to take on anyone. But the fight game doesn’t just test skill, it quite literally, breaks bodies. And for ‘The Boston Finisher’, the biggest battle hasn’t been against an opponent, it’s been against a devastating knee injury that nearly derailed everything.

Calvin Kattar’s Knee Injury

The disaster struck at UFC Fight Night 213 in October 2022. Fresh off a razor-thin split-decision loss to Josh Emmett, Kattar seemed to be determined to make a statement against Arnold Allen. He had never been one to let losses pile up and if history was any indication, this was supposed to be his bounce-back fight. A redemption fight!

Round 1 was competitive, the current #10 contender worked his jab while Allen countered effectively. Then came the moment that changed everything. Kattar went for a jumping knee, a high-risk, high-reward move. But instead of landing clean, he came down awkwardly. His right knee buckled instantly. He gritted his teeth and convinced the cage-side doctor he could continue, but the damage was done. Seconds into Round 2, Allen fired a calf kick, and Kattar collapsed on the spot. Herb Dean had no choice but to stop the fight. It wasn’t just a TKO loss, it was the kind of injury that can end careers.

A torn ACL isn’t just a setback, it’s a complete rebuild. The explosiveness, the footwork, the confidence to throw kicks again, it all takes time. And Kattar knew that. For many fighters, the urge to return quickly is overwhelming. But Kattar took a different approach. “I don’t want to have any second-guessing stepping in there,” he admitted in early 2023. After two consecutive losses, including that razor-thin decision against Emmett, he knew rushing back could make things worse. “I kind of just want to sit back, be patient,” no shortcuts. No rushing. His plan? Get back to 100%, then fight.

And now? He’s finally ready. With unfinished business at featherweight, the 36-year-old is making his return against Youssef Zalal, a rising star on a three-fight win streak. Is it a tough test? Absolutely. But for The Boston Finisher, this fight isn’t just about getting back in the win column, it’s about proving he’s still one of the best.

ACL injuries have taken out plenty of elite fighters before. The question is, will Kattar still be the same pressure-heavy machine that took Max Holloway to five rounds? Or will the injury slow him down? So what do you think? Can Calvin Kattar still make a title run, or is this the beginning of the end? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!