Tag: Katlyn Chookagian

UFC 280 pre-event facts: Numbers show just how historic Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev truly is

The numbers show that Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev is unlike any fight in UFC history.

The UFC makes its annual visit to Abu Dhabi on Saturday with UFC 280, which goes down at Etihad Arena on Yas Island with a main card that airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNNews and ESPN+.

A championship doubleheader tops arguably the deepest fight card of the year. [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] (33-8 MMA, 21-8 UFC) and [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) will meet for the vacant lightweight title in the main event, which marks the first time in history fighters on UFC winning streaks of 10 or more fights meet inside the octagon.

In the co-headliner, meanwhile, [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] (21-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) puts his bantamweight belt on the line against [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] (17-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) in the co-headliner.

For more on the numbers behind the title bouts, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts for UFC 280.

Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (July 11-17)

All the UFC and Bellator 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 or Bellator.

Here are the fight announcements that were broken or confirmed by MMA Junkie from July 11-17.

Jessica Andrade agrees to replace Katlyn Chookagian, fights Manon Fiorot at UFC Paris

A former UFC strawweight champion will enter enemy territory for the UFC’s France debut.

Former UFC women’s strawweight champion [autotag]Jessica Andrade[/autotag] will enter enemy territory for her next bout.

With [autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag] out due to injury, Andrade (23-9 MMA, 14-7 UFC) will step in to fight France’s [autotag]Manon Fiorot[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) at UFC Paris, the promotion announced Wednesday. Two people with knowledge of the matchup told MMA Junkie the bout is not yet signed despite the UFC announcement. Verbal agreements are in place, however.

Andrade, 30, has won three of her past four outings. She most recently competed April 23 when she pulled off the first standing arm-triangle choke in UFC history. She also recently finished Amanda Lemos and Chookagian.

Fiorot, 32, continues to win again and again. Highly-regarded as one of the fastest-rising women stars in MMA, Fiorot has defeated Victoria Leonardo, Tabatha Ricci, Mayra Buneo Silva and Jennifer Maia so far in her UFC tenure.

With the change, the UFC Paris lineup includes:

  • Ciryl Gane vs. Tai Tuivasa
  • Marvin Vettori vs. Robert Whittaker
  • Jessica Andrade vs. Manon Fiorot
  • Absupiyan Magomedov vs. Makhmud Muradov
  • Zarah Fairn vs. Ailin Perez
  • Alessio Di Chirico vs. Roman Kopylov

[vertical-gallery id=2553832]

UFC on ESPN 36 results: Katlyn Chookagian edges Amanda Ribas by split decision

Katlyn Chookagian called for a rematch with Valentina Shevchenko after a split decision win over Amanda Ribas at UFC on ESPN 36.

[autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag] proved she’s still the biggest hurdle for anyone who wants a women’s flyweight title shot when she defeated [autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN 36.

It was a razor-close fight, but Chookagian (18-4 MMA, 11-4 UFC) proved to have the more effective striking over three rounds, and it likely made the difference in a split decision win over Ribas (11-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

The judges’ scores were 28-29 for Ribas and a pair of 29-28 cards for Chookagian.

It was a closely contested bout from beginning to end. Chookagian stayed at range and looked to counter strike, while Ribas was adamant to apply pressure with forward movement and combinations at every possible opportunity.

Ribas got critical takedowns in the first two rounds and accumulated more than four minutes of ground control overall. Chookagian landed some powerful shots on her advancing opponent on the feet, and managed to avoid any truly dangerous situations on the mat.

The fight turned into a slugfest in the final round. It unfolded almost entirely on the feet, and it went tit-for-tat in terms of power shots and volume.

Ultimately Chookagian was rewarded for her work, and left with a win that saw her surpass reigning champion Valentina Shevchenko for most in divisional history.

Chookagian has won five of six fights since losing to Shevchenko by third-round TKO at UFC 247 in February 2020, and she wants a rematch.

“It’s like a broken record,” Chookagian said in her post-fight interview with Michael Bisping. “I want the title shot. Obviously I want my second shot at Valentina. But I just want to stay active. .. Any girl I haven’t fought.”

[vertical-gallery id=2546929]

[vertical-gallery id=2546931]

Photos: UFC on ESPN 36 weigh-ins and faceoffs

Check out these photos of the UFC on ESPN 36 official weigh-ins and faceoffs in Las Vegas.

Check out these photos of the UFC on ESPN 36 official weigh-ins and faceoffs at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. (Photos by Ken Hathaway, MMA Junkie)

UFC on ESPN 36 predictions: Can ex-champ Jan Blachowicz get back on track vs. Aleksandar Rakic?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC on ESPN 36 main card in Las Vegas, featuring ex-champ Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic.

Blachowicz
vs.
Rakic		 Cutelaba
vs.
Spann		 Grant
vs.
Smolka		 Chookagian
vs.
Ribas		 Camacho
vs.
Torres		 Hadley
vs.
Nascimento
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
79-38		 blachowicz2022
Blachowicz
(56%)		 spann2022
Spann
(53%)		 grant2022
Grant
(80%)		 ribas2022
Ribas
(52%)		 torres2022
Torres
(73%)		 hadley2022
Hadley
(81%)
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
78-40		 blachowicz2022
Blachowicz		 spann2022
Spann		 grant2022
Grant		 chookagian2022
Chookagian		 torres2022
Torres		 hadley2022
Hadley
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
77-41
trophy copy 2018 Champion		 rakic2022
Rakic		 spann2022
Spann		 grant2022
Grant		 chookagian2022
Chookagian		 torres2022
Torres		 hadley2022
Hadley
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohn
76-42
trophy copy 2014 Champion		 rakic2022
Rakic		 spann2022
Spann		 grant2022
Grant		 chookagian2022
Chookagian		 torres2022
Torres		 hadley2022
Hadley
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
76-42		 rakic2022
Rakic		 spann2022
Spann		 grant2022
Grant		 chookagian2022
Chookagian		 camacho2022
Camacho		 hadley2022
Hadley
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
75-43		 rakic2022
Rakic		 spann2022
Spann		 smolka2022
Smolka		 chookagian2022
Chookagian		 torres2022
Torres		 hadley2022
Hadley
Matthew Wells
@MrMWells
74-44		 blachowicz2022
Blachowicz		 spann2022
Spann		 grant2022
Grant		 chookagian2022
Chookagian		 torres2022
Torres		 hadley2022
Hadley
Nolan King
@mma_kings
74-44		 rakic2022
Rakic		 cutelaba2022
Cutelaba		 smolka2022
Smolka		 chookagian2022
Chookagian		 torres2022
Torres		 hadley2022
Hadley
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
73-45
trophy copy 2017 Champion		 rakic2022
Rakic		 spann2022
Spann		 grant2022
Grant		 chookagian2022
Chookagian		 torres2022
Torres		 hadley2022
Hadley
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
72-46		 rakic2022
Rakic		 cutelaba2022
Cutelaba		 grant2022
Grant		 chookagian2022
Chookagian		 torres2022
Torres		 hadley2022
Hadley
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
68-50		 rakic2022
Rakic		 spann2022
Spann		 grant2022
Grant		 chookagian2022
Chookagian		 torres2022
Torres		 hadley2022
Hadley
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
59-59		 blachowicz2022
Blachowicz		 spann2022
Spann		 smolka2022
Smolka		 ribas2022
Ribas		 torres2022
Torres		 hadley2022
Hadley

The UFC is back in its Las Vegas home base this week with a former champion at the top of the bill.

UFC on ESPN 36 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on ESPN2 and streams on ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN2/ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, former light heavyweight champ [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] (28-9 MMA, 11-6 UFC) takes on [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag] (14-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC). Rakic is a 2-1 favorite at Tipico Sportsbook; the comeback on Blachowicz is +150. Our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers are taking Rakic at a pretty high 8-3 clip.

In the co-feature, [autotag]Ion Cutelaba[/autotag] (16-6-1 MMA, 5-5-1 UFC) meets [autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag] (19-7 MMA, 5-2 UFC) in another light heavyweight bout. Cutelaba is a -240 favorite, but it’s underdog Spann with a big 9-2 picks lead.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Davey Grant[/autotag] (11-6 MMA, 4-5 UFC will go after his fifth straight post-fight bonus award when he takes on [autotag]Louis Smolka[/autotag] (17-8 MMA, 8-8 UFC) at bantamweight. Grant is more than a 3-1 favorite and has a big 8-3 edge in the picks from our staff members.

Former women’s flyweight title challenger [autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag] (17-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC) will go after her fourth straight win when she meets [autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC). Chookagian nearly is a 2-1 favorite and only one of our pickers is taking Ribas in an upset.

[autotag]Frank Camacho[/autotag] (22-9 MMA, 2-5 UFC) returns after a hiatus of nearly two years to take on [autotag]Manuel Torres[/autotag] (12-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at lightweight. Torres is a modest -130 favorite – the smallest favorite on the main card. But he’s a near-unanimous pick at 11-1.

And to open the main card, we have our only unanimous pick: -230 favorite [autotag]Jake Hadley[/autotag] (8-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is an 11-0 pick against [autotag]Allan Nascimento[/autotag] (18-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC) in their flyweight bout.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Blachowicz (56 percent), Spann (53 percent), Grant (80 percent), Ribas (52 percent), Torres (73 percent) and Hadley (81 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

[listicle id=2546136]

[listicle id=2546319]

[listicle id=2546027]

Katlyn Chookagian re-signs with UFC, meets Amanda Ribas at May 14 event

Katlyn Chookagian has inked a new UFC deal, signed with a new management and found herself a fight.

[autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag] has inked a new UFC deal, signed with new management and found herself a fight.

Chookagian is now being represented by Dominance MMA’s Ali Abdelaziz and will take on [autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag] at the UFC’s Fight Night event May 14, which likely will take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas with a broadcast on ESPN and ESPN+.

Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Combate was first to report the booking, whereas The Underground was first to report Chookagian’s new management.

Chookagian (17-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC) has won four of her past five since losing to flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 247 in February 2020. The 33-year-old is coming off three straight wins over Cynthia Calvillo, Viviane Araujo, and most recently Jennifer Maia at UFC on ESPN 32 in January.

Ribas (11-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC), who dabbled at flyweight when she defeated Paige VanZant at UFC 251, will try her hand at 125 pounds once again. After suffering her first octagon setback to Marina Rodriguez at UFC 257, Brazil’s Ribas rebounded with a unanimous decision win over Virna Jandiroba at UFC 267 this past October. She was scheduled to face Michelle Waterson at UFC 274, but the fight was scrapped after Waterson withdrew due to injury.

With the addition, the UFC’s May 14 lineup now includes:

  • Ion Cutelaba vs. Ryan Spann
  • Viviane Araujo vs. Andrea Lee
  • Frank Camacho vs. Manuel Torres
  • Jamall Emmers vs. Daniel Pineda
  • Angela Hill vs. Virna Jandiroba
  • Nick Maximov vs. Andre Petroski
  • Jake Hadley vs. Allan Nascimento
  • Davey Grant vs. Louis Smolka
  • Katlyn Chookagian vs. Amanda Ribas

[vertical-gallery id=610969]

[vertical-gallery id=1507811]

Video: The UFC isn’t seriously about to let Katlyn Chookagian walk away, is it?

Katlyn Chookagian is unquestionably one of the top women’s flyweights in the world, but the UFC appears to be no longer interested.

An interesting storyline that emerged at UFC on ESPN 32 involved [autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag], who revealed that she fought out her contract, with the UFC declining to give her a new deal prior to the event.

That means that after Chookagian’s third consecutive win (her 10th straight win by decision after beating Jennifer Maia), she’s looking at free agency. It’s undeniable that she’s one of the best women’s flyweights in the world, ranked No. 6 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, but even she admits that the public isn’t clamoring for her to get a title rematch with Valentina Shevchenko.

Is this a situation where the UFC might simply let her go in favor of developing new contenders? If so, is that the right way to proceed?

Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Mike Bohn, Matthew Wells and Brian “Goze” Garcia discussed their biggest takeaways from the fight.

You can watch their discussion in the video above and check out this week’s full episode below.

“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Tuesday on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel. 

Free agent Katlyn Chookagian hopes to re-sign with UFC after UFC on ESPN 32 win

Katlyn Chookagian now is a free agent following her UFC on ESPN 32 win.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag] is hoping to continue to be a UFC fighter.

The former women’s flyweight title challenger is a free agent after the UFC chose not to offer her a new contract upon the expiration of her latest deal.

Chookagian (17-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC) fought out the last fight on her contract this Saturday on the main card of UFC on ESPN 32. She beat Jennifer Maia by unanimous decision in a rematch from a 2019 fight, which Chookagian also won.

Chookagian is surprised the UFC let her fight out her contract and hasn’t yet offered her a new deal.

“The first time I heard it, I was a little shocked,” Chookagian told reporters at the UFC on ESPN 32 post-fight news conference. “Being (ranked) No. 2 coming off a two-fight win streak … I beat, I don’t know what ranks they are, but No. 2, 3, 4, 5. I beat most girls who are in the top 10 already with dominant performances, so I thought it was just kind of a given.

“I think for a day, I was thrown back a bit. But then it’s like, ‘Whatever.’ You just have to fight. So I’ve been focused on the fight. I was confident. I knew I would win. I was just like, ‘Whatever.’ If I get a dominant performance, I’d be coming off a three-fight win streak going into the next contract instead of a two-fight. It was just a little more motivation.”

[lawrence-related id=1992969,1988268]

Chookagian is uncertain what the future may hold, but one thing is for certain: She wants to remain a UFC fighter.

“I don’t know – we’ll see. This was the last fight on my contract,
Chookagian said. “I think the UFC needs to re-sign me before I think about that. I mean, I’m on a three-fight win streak – I think all top five opponents. So I’m hoping they’ll re-sign me.

“They didn’t want to extend my fight contract before this, so hopefully I proved I belong here. I’m No. 2 in the division. I’ve been No. 1 or No. 2 in the division for three or four years since the division started. I have just as many wins as (champion) Valentina (Shevchenko). I’ve probably beaten more top-10 fighters than any other fighter in the UFC – male or female. This is my 13th UFC fight and I think all but two were top-10 opponents.”

UFC president Dana White was asked about Chookagian’s future in the company following the event.

“She’s a free agent right now,” White said. “I don’t know – that was between her and Mick (Maynard), that deal with her. We’ll see what happens. We’ll get back in the room on Tuesday and figure out what’s next.”

[vertical-gallery id=1988206]