Katlyn Chookagian Picks Viviane Araujo Apart To UD Victory At UFC 262
The UFC returns to Houston, Texas for UFC 262 tonight, May 15, 2021, where the vacant UFC lightweight championship is up for grabs between top ranked contenders Charles Oliveira (3) and Michael Chandler (4).
The only champion the division has seen in three years in Khabib Nurmagomedov. Now, since he vacated his title, we get to see ‘Do Bronx’, who’s on an eight-fight win streak with seven finishes, fight for his first world title opposing former six-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler, who’s on a three-fight KO streak.
Co-headlining the event comes another bout between top ten lightweight contenders, this time former interim champion Tony Ferguson (5) and the surging Beneil Dariush (9), who’s on a six-fight win streak.
The second bout on the main card came in the women’s flyweight division between another pair of top contenders, Katlyn Chookagian (2) and Viviane Araujo (7).
Chookagian came into the bout coming off a unanimous decision victory over Cynthia Calvillo, while Araujo came into the bout on a two-fight win streak, winning unanimous decisions over Montana De La Rosa and Roxanne Modafferi in her last two.
Continue reading to see how this women’s flyweight contendership bout went down:
Katlyn Chookagian (15-4) vs. Viviane Araujo (10-2)
Official Result: Katlyn Chookagian def. Viviane Araujo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Round 1
The distance is found within the first 90 seconds of the bout starting, on Araujo’s behalf anyway, as she lands the first strike of the fight by cracking Chookagian with a hard left hook.
Chookagian is throwing a lot often as she normally does, but isn’t having much success with her hands. She is however having success with her front snap kicks. Araujo slightly out-struck Chookagian in round one, but it was close.
Round 2
Araujo comes out pressing the pace in round two, as Chookagian is dancing around the outside, using her straight attacks in order to keep Araujo at bay. Araujo secures a body lock takedown about two minutes in, and secures mount with a one-arm guillotine.
Chookagian defends the choke, but now has to defend an arm-triangle choke. She makes her way back to her feet with about 80 seconds left and wins the remainder of the round with her striking.
It does appear Araujo is fatigued going into round three.
Round 3
Chookagian starts to pick Araujo apart as soon as round three starts, and the visibly weathered Araujo’s face is starting to swell on both sides, making it difficult for her to see.
Araujo goes for one last-ditch takedown attempt, but is denied and eats a few punches for trying.
Chookagian shows off her Holly Holm-like cardio and footwork once again. She’s so good at staying on her bike and picking her opponents apart. Maybe it’s time for her to rematch Jessica Andrade?
