At UFC 262, Brazilian flyweight Viviane Araujo had a monumental opportunity in front of her. If the seventh-ranked talent could score a win over recent title challenger Katlyn Chookagian, it could go a long way in getting her name in the conversation for a championship fight with Valentina Shevchenko next. However, the #2 ranked “Blonde Fighter” had designs on beginning her first win streak in two years, and keeping her name near the top of the division rankings.
Katlyn Chookagian outpoints Viviane Araujo in a battle of top-10 flyweights
The first round played out as a battle of point scoring technique versus power striking. Chookagian put forth her usual volume but did not land strikes with real substance. But she did land. Araujo came after the American with speed and power. Looking for explosive shots that could do damage. With a minute left, the Brazilian went for a takedown that ended up being a stalemate against the cage as the pair traded knees in the clinch. A close round where both tried to impose their games and scored points. Yet neither build any true momentum.
By the second round, the #2 ranked Chookagian found her range, to where she can land her strikes but stay just outside the power punches of Araujo. However, a kick by the 32-year-old was caught and turned into a takedown by Araujo. She eventually used a guillotine choke attempt as a way to gain full mount. The fight stayed grounded for a couple of minutes, but Chookagian fought back to her feet and when there, her opponent looked exhausted. Chookagian took advantage and landed a bunch of strikes on her foe in the final minute.
In the last round, The seventh ranked fighter dug down deep to try and be more active, however Chookagian’s endless gas tank was a big advantage. She moved around briskly while Araujo seemed stuck in mud at times. But, like previous Chookagian fights, there weren’t many strikes landed that seemed damaging to her opponent. She certainly won the round, but she very well may have been in a position where she needed a finish to win.
In the end, the final round was key on two of the three judges’ scorecards, as Katlyn Chookagian outpoints Viviane Araujo for the unanimous decision victory. It is another decision win for the New Jersey native as she keeps her name in the hunt for a future title fight. Araujo loses for just the second time in the UFC and falls to 4-2 in the promotion.
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