A number one contender’s bout? In the whirlwind women’s flyweight division, with names like Andrade and Murphy also in the mix, who knows. For one fighter, perhaps. But Katlyn Chookagian vs. Cynthia Calvillo at UFC 255 was certainly a high-stakes fight, with the winner very much in the mix at 125lbs.
Calvillo opened on the outside by firing a kick, while Chookagian held center. A left hook soon landed for Cynthia Calvillo, and she followed it up with a takedown. Chookagian immediately got back to her feet however. Calvillo’s hands got going, but as the round progressed, Chookagian got loose, landing lefts, rights, and leg kicks while keeping Calvillo at a distance. Calvillo’s takedowns weren’t effective, while Chookagian’s game plan was obvious. Use her length, reach, height, and strikes to keep Calvillo outside, where she was frankly ineffective.
Perhaps looking to shake things up, Calvillo went high with a side kick to open the second. Then went to the body with a second kick moments later. Chookagian, with the height and reach advantage, retained her ability to keep Calvillo on the outside. Her jab had found its range, but Calvillo managed to connect a couple of times with about two minutes left in the second. What Calvillo was unable to do was capitalize on that success, or change the momentum of the round.
The third round had Calvillo more than likely trailing, in what was still a relatively close fight. Chookagian’s game plan had been successful at keeping Calvillo on the outside, but she hadn’t particularly hurt her opponent. Calvillo needed to close the distance, and tried to do just that, leading with her hands and getting active with her kicks. Two punch combos, the classic jab-cross, hit the mark for Calvillo, but the bell sounded before she could find a finish. And frankly, she needed one.
Blonde Fighter bounces back!
👩🏼 @BlondeFighter with a big win in Vegas tonight. #UFC255 pic.twitter.com/HdjjPLlLMq
— UFC (@ufc) November 22, 2020
The win won’t put Chookagian in line for a title fight, given she fought for the belt earlier this year. But it keeps her in the mix.
Official Result: Katlyn Chookagian def. Cynthia Calvillo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
