Chookagian vs Maia: A Flyweight Title Eliminator

Chookagian vs Maia: A Flyweight Title Eliminator

By James Lee

With all eyes on the main card of UFC 244, a women’s flyweight tile eliminator is seeded on the preliminary card with the winner expected to go on to fight champion Valentina Shevchenko for the belt.

The flyweight division is still on a path of growth, being just two years old, but arguably it has already found the figurehead for years.

Valentina Shevchenko is the most dominant champion in the sport and a fight against her is almost a formality, but those in the rankings will still love to line up and cause a massive shock in the sport’s history.

The champion has a lifetime of work in the sport and looks unbeatable at 125 lbs.

However, before the Rousey-Holm fight people thought Ronda was untouchable. It only takes the right person at the right time.

Both Jennifer Maia and Katlyn Chookagian believe they are the right people and now is the right time.

The Brazilian has a decade of experience in professional mixed martial arts and despite coming in as a slight underdog for the fight, her experience in fighting for many different promotions and her stint at Invicta champion could see her spoil Chookagian’s hometown fight.

The only time the American has competed in New York ended unsuccessfully as she fell short to Liz Carmouche at UFC 205.

Although it probably isn’t right at the top of her list, earning success at MSG in front of her home people will mean a great deal to her.

The fight is going off the map in terms of the other fights on the card, but it is the one that has the biggest title implications for the whole event.