Brazil’s Viviane Araujo had the chance to cement herself as a flyweight title contender on Saturday at UFC 262, when she took on former challenger Katlyn Chookagian.
With champ Valentina Shevchenko tearing through the division like a Tasmanian Devil, a win for Araujo could easily put her on the short-list of future challengers. As for Chookagian, she was looking to add to a recent win over Cynthia Calvillo.
Araujo took control of center early, firing a right hand to the body and forcing Chookagian to the outside. Everything Araujo threw early was thrown with bad intentions, while Chookagian fired with less authority, but more volume. That was the story of the round, though Araujo would attempt a takedown late in the frame, an effort Chookagian successfully fought off.
Round two saw a front kick from Chookagian sit down Brazil’s Araujo. More off balance than hurt, she was quickly back to her feet. The back-and-forth continued, until Araujo caught a kick and dumped Chookagian on her back about 90 seconds in. Araujo worked towards a mounted guillotine, but had to release the choke as she moved into mount. That still left her in a dominant position, but Chookagian was able to escape, and back on the feet, she appeared the fresher fighter. Chookagian finished the round strong.
Round three saw the flyweight pair trading. Once again, Chookagian looked to be the fresher fighter. She mixed in a knee off the end of one of her combos, and was coming forward a little more in the final frame. Araujo was not out of it, however, but was eating too many of Chookagian’s jabs. As the round wore on, Chookagian stayed active, found a home for her right hand, hit the mark with a leg kick, and finished strong. Araujo would land a right hand to the side of the head in the dying seconds, but the third was Chookagian’s. The fight was hers as well in the end.
Official Result: Katlyn Chookagian def. Viviane Araujo by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
