Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
All the UFC fight announcements that were first reported or confirmed by MMA Junkie in the past week.
MMA fight announcements are hard to follow. With so many outlets and channels available, it’s nearly impossible to organize.
But here at MMA Junkie, we’ve got your back.
Each week, we’ll compile all the newly surfaced fights in one spot. Every Monday, expect a feature listing everything you might have missed from the UFC.
Here are the fight announcements that were broken or confirmed by MMA Junkie or officially announced by the promotions from Dec. 4-10.
Maycee Barber vs. Katlyn Chookagian will take place at UFC 299 in a women’s flyweight contender fight.
UFC 299 continues to fill, this time with the addition of a women’s flyweight fight.
Contenders [autotag]Maycee Barber[/autotag] and [autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag] will collide at the March 9 pay-per-view event. While no location is official, Miami is the frontrunner for the event.
Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. MMA Mania first reported the bout.
Barber (13-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) looks to extend her current winning streak to six. The stretch of success has solidified her as a top contender in the division with wins over Amanda Ribas, Jennifer Maia, and Viviane Araujo, among others. This will be Barber’s first fight post-foot surgery.
Chookagian (18-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) has remained a stalwart member of the top of the flyweight division since it’s conception in 2018. She hasn’t competed since October 2022 when her four-fight winning streak was snapped by Manon Fiorot.
With the addition, the UFC 299 lineup includes
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 299.
Check out a full recap of 2022’s most significant footnotes and milestones from the events, the fights and individual performances.
Now that the year has come to a close, and with a major assist from UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll, here are some of 2022’s most significant milestones from the events, the fights and individual performances in the octagon.
Aljamain Sterling owns the longest winning streak in the history of the bantamweight division after his UFC 280 title defense.
The most anticipated UFC event of the year took place Saturday with UFC 280 from Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
In the main event, [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] (23-1 MMA, 12-1 UFC) became the new UFC lightweight champion when he seamlessly rolled through [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] (33-9 MMA, 21-9 UFC) en route to a second-round submission that gave him the vacant strap.
The co-headliner saw [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] (22-3 MMA, 14-3 UFC) continue his run as bantamweight champion when he registered a second defense with a second-round TKO of [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] (17-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC).
For more on the numbers to come out of the two title fights, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from UFC 280.
Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 280 took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $306,500.
ABU DHABI – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 280 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $296,500.
The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.
UFC 280 took place at Etihad Arena. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+.
The full UFC 280 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:
* * * *
[autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag]: $32,000
def. [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag]: $32,000
[autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag]: $42,000
def. [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag]: $32,000
[autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Petr Yan[/autotag]: $11,000
[autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Mateusz Gamrot[/autotag]: $6,000
[autotag]Manon Fiorot[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag]: $16,000
[autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Sean Brady[/autotag]: $6,000
[autotag]Caio Borralho[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Makhmud Muradov[/autotag]: $4,500
[autotag]Nikita Krylov[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Volkan Oezdemir[/autotag]: $11,000
[autotag]Abubakar Nurmagomedov[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Gadzhi Omargadzhiev[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]Armen Petrosyan[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]AJ Dobson[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]Muhammad Mokaev[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Malcolm Gordon[/autotag]: $4,500
[autotag]Karol Rosa[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Lina Lansberg[/autotag]: $6,000
Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.
In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.
Full 2022 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:
Year-to-date total: $6,929,000
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $13,106,500
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 280.
At UFC 280, Manon Fiorot beat the No.1 promotion-ranked Katlyn Chookagian in a strike-heavy affair in Abu Dhabi.
ABU DHABI – Many rising prospects have had their coming out parties spoiled by [autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag] – but [autotag]Manon Fiorot[/autotag] made sure she was not one of them.
In the UFC 280 main card opener, Fiorot (10-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) jabbed and moved her way to a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) win over Chookagian (18-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC).
The bout was closely contested as both women showcased technical striking. Chookagian seemed to edge the exchanges early, with her signature “hut-hut-hut” audible upon each exchange.
Potentially down a round entering the second, Fiorot did not show signs of discouragement. She utilized her side kick and right hand. Chookagian stayed active with her punches, though many missed.
A toss-up entering the final round, Fiorot did just enough to convince the judges to unanimously score a rather lackluster fight in her favor.
The fans in attendance at Etihad Arena weren’t thrilled with what they saw – and they let the fighters hear it.
15 full minutes between two of the world's best flyweights! Who do you think takes it?
[ #UFC280 is Live on @ESPNPlus PPV: https://t.co/c9gmPHvMmB ] pic.twitter.com/PCI6pFa8Lz
— UFC (@ufc) October 22, 2022
#UFC280 results: Manon Fiorot (@ManonFiorot_MMA) def. Katlyn Chookagian via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Full results: https://t.co/ASgbZtcX37 pic.twitter.com/pD6NzWgvov
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 22, 2022
With the victory, Fiorot defeats the No.1-ranked women’s flyweight contender in the UFC rankings. A fresh face in the top of the division, Fiorot likely inserts herself into the title conversation.
The loss snaps a four-fight winning streak for Chookagian, whose previous loss came against Jessica Andrade in 2020. She now has four losses at flyweight in the UFC, against Fiorot, Andrade, Shevchenko, and Jessica Eye.
Up-to-the-minute UFC 280 results include:
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 280.
[vertical-gallery id=2590575]
[vertical-gallery id=2590127]
[vertical-gallery id=2590397]
Check out the best photos from Manon Fiorot’s unanimous decision win over Katlyn Chookagian at UFC 280 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Check out the best photos from [autotag]Manon Fiorot[/autotag]’s unanimous decision win over [autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag] at UFC 280 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. (Photos by Craig Kidwell, USA TODAY Sports)
Check out our staff members’ picks for UFC 280, which features Charles Oliveira-Islam Makhachev and Aljamain Sterling-T.J. Dillashaw.
| Oliveira vs. Makhachev |
Sterling vs. Dillashaw |
O’Malley vs. Yan |
Dariush vs. Gamrot |
Chookagian vs. Fiorot |
|
| MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 164-98 |
 Oliveira (72%) |
 Sterling (52%) |
 Yan (63%) |
 Dariush (60%) |
 Fiorot (63%) |
| Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway 175-92  2018 Champion |
 Makhachev |
Sterling |
 O’Malley |
 Gamrot |
Fiorot |
| Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 170-97 |
Makhachev |
Sterling |
Yan |
Gamrot |
 Chookagian |
| Mike Bohn @MikeBohn 169-98 2014 Champion |
Oliveira |
 Dillashaw |
Yan |
Gamrot |
Chookagian |
| Matthew Wells @MrMWells 168-99 |
Oliveira |
Sterling |
Yan |
Gamrot |
Fiorot |
| Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 166-101 |
Makhachev |
Dillashaw |
Yan |
Dariush |
Fiorot |
| Simon Samano @SJSamano 164-103 |
Oliveira |
Dillashaw |
Yan |
Gamrot |
Fiorot |
| Matt Erickson @MMAjunkieMatt 163-104 |
Makhachev |
Dillashaw |
Yan |
Dariush |
Fiorot |
| Nolan King @mma_kings 158-109 |
Oliveira |
Sterling |
Yan |
Gamrot |
Chookagian |
| Brian Garcia @thegoze 157-110 2017 Champion |
Oliveira |
Sterling |
Yan |
Dariush |
Chookagian |
| George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 149-118 |
Oliveira |
Sterling |
Yan |
Dariush |
Fiorot |
| Danny Segura @dannyseguratv 132-134 |
Oliveira |
Dillashaw |
Yan |
Gamrot |
Fiorot |
The UFC is back in Abu Dhabi for arguably its biggest pay-per-view of the year with a pair of title fights at the top of the card.
UFC 280 takes place Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+.
(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)
In the main event, former lightweight champion [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] (33-8 MMA, 21-8 UFC) goes after the belt he was stripped of when he missed weight earlier this year. He takes on [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) for the vacant title. Makhachev is a -190 favorite at Tipico Sportsbook; the comeback on Oliveira is +145. Our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers have the Brazilian underdog taking the title back at a 7-4 clip.
In the co-main event bantamweight champion [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] (21-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) puts his title on the line against former champ [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] (17-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC). Sterling is a -175 favorite, but he has just a 6-5 slim edge in the picks.
Also on the main card, [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] (15-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) meets former bantamweight titleholder [autotag]Petr Yan[/autotag] (16-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) in what likely is a title eliminator. Yan is the biggest favorite on the main card at nearly 3-1, and he is a near-unanimous pick from our staff members at 10-1.
[autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag] (21-4-1 MMA, 15-4-1 UFC) takes on [autotag]Mateusz Gamrot[/autotag] (21-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) at lightweight. Gamrot is more than a 2-1 favorite and has a 7-4 lead in the picks.
And to open the main card, former women’s flyweight title challenger [autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag] (18-4 MMA, 11-4 UFC) fights [autotag]Manon Fiorot[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC). Chookagian missed weight for the fight, but the bout will go on at a catchweight. Fiorot is a -220 favorite and has a decent 7-4 lead in the picks.
In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Oliveira (72 percent), Sterling (52 percent), Yan (63 percent), Dariush (60 percent) and Fiorot (63 percent) are the choices.
Check out all the picks above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 212.
[vertical-gallery id=2589735]
[listicle id=2588795]
Katlyn Chookagian understands her current role, but if she moves to 7-1 in her past eight, could she force the UFC’s hand?
ABU DHABI – [autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag] is in a weird spot, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Perennially among the top few women’s flyweights in the UFC rankings, Chookagian (18-4 MMA, 11-4 UFC) has proven to be a difficult out to nearly every opponent not named [autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag] (23-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC). Seemingly in the role as an unofficial gatekeeper to the champion, Chookagian has embraced the position.
“I’d prefer to be in Valentina’s position, to be honest,” Chookagian told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a pre-fight news conference Wednesday. “If I’m not there yet, then it’s not a bad place to be.”
A large majority of Shevchenko’s past opponents, including Chookagian, suffered lopsided losses to the champ, leaving fans disinterested in seeing rematches. With seven wins and only one loss since her failed attempt in February 2020, Chookagian thinks if she continues to win the promotion will have no choice but to give her another shot.
“I think for me it’s been over two-and-a-half years since I fought for the title,” Chookagian said. “I’ve had seven fights in the UFC since. I’m 6-1 since then. If I win this fight Saturday, it’s a five-fight win streak. I think a win on Saturday would kind of change my position a little bit to be in the conversation for another title shot.”
[lawrence-related id=2589216,2589314]
The ideal scenario for Chookagian is to defeat Manon Fiorot (9-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) at UFC 280 on Saturday, then get an immediate title shot. Plan B, however, could be a title eliminator vs. budding contender Alexa Grasso, who defeated Viviane Araujo by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 212 this past Saturday.
“Obviously if I had a choice, I’d prefer a title shot,” Chookagian said. “I never say no to any fights. I take them all. Yeah, I would prefer that. I’d prefer the title shot, but I’d definitely take that (Grasso) fight if that’s what I would have to do.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 280.
[vertical-gallery id=391998]
Some big words from Manon Fiorot, who even referred to Katlyn Chookagian as a “gatekeeper” ahead of UFC 280.
ABU DHABI – [autotag]Manon Fiorot[/autotag] is here at UFC 280 to put on a show and earn a title shot.
Fiorot (9-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) meets former women’s flyweight title challenger [autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag] (18-4 MMA, 11-4 UFC) in Saturday’s pay-per-view main card opener at Etihad Arena, which streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
Fiorot went from being booked against Chookagian, to Jessica Andrade, and then back to Chookagian. But the rising contender, who is on a nine-fight winning streak, is happy to be fighting the No. 1-ranked flyweight and expects a win to earn her a shot at champion Valentina Shevchenko.
“It’s better for the rankings, because Katyln is higher,” Fiorot told MMA Junkie. “But I respect her. I know she’s one of the most technical fighters in the division, but I win this fight, and I swear it’s not boring.”
She continued, “She’s definitely a gatekeeper, if I can talk like that, but I’m happy, because I’ll show that I can beat the gatekeeper and do my job. .. Definitely after the fight I’ll call out Valentina for the belt.”
[lawrence-related id=2589081,2589095,2589045]
Chookagian has taken out plenty of top flyweight contenders to cement her No. 1 spot. But everything Chookagian does well, Fiorot thinks she does better.
“Most of her wins are by footwork and fight IQ, but I have better,” Fiorot said. “… I’m coming here to do a standup fight, but I really think after the first round she’ll want to wrestle me.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 280.
[pickup_prop id=”28122″]
[listicle id=2588795]
