Calvin “The Boston Finisher” Kattar (14-2) Returns From Three-Year Layoff Looking For Victory at CES XXXIV

Calvin “The Boston Finisher” Kattar (14-2) returns to the cage on Friday, April 1st, 2016 – nearly three years away from competing in professional mixed martial arts – for CES XXXIV: Curtis vs. Burrell at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

Since making his professional mixed martial arts debut in June 2007 – a first-round TKO victory over Tony Armijo (0-1)  at Combat Zone 22: Cage Masters 3 in Derry, New Hampshire – Kattar has compiled an impressive 14-2 record, including win streaks of three, five and his current six-fight win streak.

With eight first-round victories, Kattar has only suffered two professional losses – both to highly-decorated Bellator veterans: James “Binky” Jones (14-14) in May 2008 and Don Carlo-Clauss (10-7) in February 2010.

As his last fight and victory took place in June 2013 – a three-round Unanimous Decision over Gabriel Baino (6-2) – Kattar is looking to pick up where he left off when he faces Kenny “The Tooth Fairy” Foster (11-10) as the fourth fight on the CES XXXIV card.

While wrapping up his training camp for his upcoming match, Kattar took the time to speak about growth during time off, confidence, the city of Boston, Massachusetts and his new home at Sityodtong USA amongst UFC veterans Rob Font (12-1), Tony Martin (10-3) and Tateki Matsuda (12-7).

ON CES XXXIV

My expectations are nothing more than getting a W. It’s been almost three years since I’ve fought and I’m looking to pick up right where I left off. I got a lot of people coming to show their support. I’m representing a few more people; additions to the team.

I want to go out there and put on a good performance.

ON GROWTH DURING TIME OFF

There was growth in those three years, even in just the maturity and as a person; getting that drive to get back in there. It definitely reinvigorated me – the time off, the time away.

I would always still kick around in gyms getting in the work, but nothing compares to a fight camp.

It was refreshing getting back in there, giving it my all and now I’m ready to see the results.

ON JOINING SITYODTONG

It’s a good thing. It shows that being around good people, it’s always a good look. It’s always been a goal of mine to train with UFC-caliber guys to see where I stand.

I’ve always trained with solid, top local guys but not too many UFC guys other than “Doomsday” Howard. So it’s kind of tough to gauge where you stand.

But working with Tony, Tateki and Rob: I really see where I settled in the mix, let alone having those guy tighten up the holes in your game and constantly just being there to help you out.

They’ve been huge additions and really helped me out a lot for this camp, so I’m really happy to have them and be part of the team.

Now I’m ready to earn my spot on the roster.

ON GOALS WITHIN MMA

I take it as it comes. One thing I’ve learned from my career is just never overlook any fight. Treat the one right in front of you as if – for lack of a better word – it’s the Super Bowl. You always take it as if it’s life or death.

I look at the next fight as the most important one.

I don’t look past it until that day comes and then we reevaluate from there; reassess our goals. Everything changes from fight to fight, in my eyes. But if you keep winning, you stay on the same course. I never over-jump; one fight at a time. I got to get this W – without that, nothing else matters.

So that’s what I’m focused on: a win April 1st.

ON MMA

The funny thing about this sport: it doesn’t matter what position you’re in. For anybody involved in this sport – shit is hectic. Doesn’t matter if you’re a promoter, fighter, manager – it’s always overworked, underpaid, under-appreciated.

But we all bust our ass because we love this shit. It is what it is.

ON “THE BOSTON FINISHER” NICKNAME

It’s where I’m from – I take pride in where I’m from. That nickname was given to me; I think it was because I was fighting a New York kid. But I take pride in it, of course.

I like to represent where I’m from. The people of Boston are unlike any other: I think you’ll get that anywhere you go, they’ll tell you the same thing.

I’m proud of my roots. My last four or five fights, I’m always wearing something Boston; my fight T-shirts got the city skyline on them.

I’m proud to be where I’m from, and I’m looking to represent for everybody from this area for my next fight.

ON CONFIDENCE

You have to (believe in yourself), one hundred percent. When you lose that vision that your team, your training partners, your coaches – everyone pushing you back… You’re going to have ups and downs in your camp; it’s a roller-coaster ride. But you’re constantly getting positive influence back from your team and that support system.

No one’s successful alone – it takes a team.

So there will be highs and lows in the middle of camps – that’s where everyone pull together tight and as a team and a family.

I feel that at Sityodtong and at Carlos Neto BJJ where I train. Those guys – we have a solid system in place and it’s proven successful and I want to add another win to that category April 1st. I want to represent for the team and everybody around me and just everyone that supports me.

I want to get that W for them and myself.

ON MMA AS OUTLET FOR YOUTH

I feel like I came up in a tough area. Everyone around me was tough, but nobody ever did anything positive with it. I so happened to fall into the wrestling program that straightened me out. I had a really good coach, made a man out of me; instilled some regiments, hard work and discipline in me. From there, I landed into another good coach.

It’s all about good coaching and instilling good values and work ethic in you at a young age, and I was fortunate enough to have that. It kept me on the right path.

And you’ve got to have some kind of edge and scrappiness to you; some fight. People train to be fighters and some are born fighters that end up popping into the gym and start training. I think the mental aspect’s a big part of it, and that comes with a good supporting cast. I feel like I got both of those with me, and I think that will make the difference in the night.

THANK YOU

My coach, who’s been with me for the longest time now: Carlos Neto. Everybody down there at Carlos Neto BJJ in Somerville. Also my family at Sityodtong now: this is the first time training with them, fighting with them. And Kru Mark (DellaGrotte) has been great and everybody down there as far as my training partners: they’ve really taken me like family. Also Tyson Chartier: my manager. He’s been a big help getting me new sponsors; working with Onnit now and a few others, as well. He’s done a lot for me. Mike Perry: my strength and conditioning coach. First time I ever worked with a solid strength and conditioning coach, and he’s taken me to a new level.

I’m appreciative of everyone that’s around me and really the support system that’s helping me prepare for this fight. I’m looking to go out there and make them all proud.

I’m looking to put on a good show for everybody coming April 1st.