Katlyn Chookagian hopes UFC 244 win over Jennifer Maia gets her title shot

NEW YORK – Katlyn Chookagian beat Jennifer Maia with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Take a look inside the fight with Chookagian, who now is tied for the most wins in UFC women’s flyweight history with four.

Result: Katlyn Chookagian def. Jennifer Maia via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: Chookagian (13-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC), Maia (17-6-1 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Key stat: Maia landed the fight’s lone takedown, but Chookagian won the striking battle in a big way at 116-74.

Chookagian on the fight’s key moment

“I felt that I had Round 1 and 2 and lost Round 3 with the takedown, so I was confident going to the decision. But I guess you can never been too confident with the judges.”

Chookagian on Maia missing weight

“Everyone said in camp that Jennifer was going to miss weight, but she had only missed it one time and she’s been fighting at 125 for years. But I knew she came in this week heavy. I was just hoping she was going to make it to weigh-ins so we can have the fight. It was only one pound, so I was fine with it.”

Chookagian on what she wants next

“(UFC women’s flyweight champion) Valentina (Shevchenko) is the fight that I’ve been wanting since she got the title. I’m not just in the UFC to be another fighter. I want the title. I never look past the opponents I have, but she’s always someone I have in mind. I’ve been sparring lefties all camp and ever since I’ve gotten into the UFC, so I’m definitely thinking about that. Some of the stuff I’ve been working on in this camp, not to look past Jennifer, but some of the stuff was also to improve my skills for the next fight, which is hopefully Valentina. I think my style matches up really well with her. We’re both counter strikers, so time to get back to the gym on Monday and get ready.”

To hear more from Chookagian, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.