LAS VEGAS – Katlyn Chookagian beat Antonina Shevchenko with a unanimous decision Saturday to close out the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN 9 in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Chookagian, who got back on track after a flyweight title fight loss to Shevchenko’s sister, champ Valentina Shevchenko.
Result: Katlyn Chookagian def. Antonina Shevchenko via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-25)
Updated records: Chookagian (14-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC), Shevchenko (8-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Key stat: Chookagian outstruck Shevchenko 202-34 and landed nearly 80 percent of her total strikes.
Chookagian on the fight’s key moment
“There was one point I thought (the choke) was in a little bit because of the noises she was making, but I never felt like I was completely locked under – her hand was in with the glove. I just had to trust the technique and know it’s not 100 percent there and I just had to move on.”
Chookagian on improvements
“It feels really good. I don’t think I’ve gotten better since my last fight. I’ve always had this ability. It’s just being confident and doing it. I think the people that are closest with me know that this is what I am capable of. So just seeing, that I’m not surprised because I know I can do that, but being able to finally showcase it in the octagon is a really good feeling.”
Chookagian on what she wants next
“I just want to keep fighting. Obviously, I want to fight for the title again – otherwise, I wouldn’t be doing this. I understand I just lost (a title fight) and there are a couple other girls that will get their opportunity. It’s not like it was a close fight with me and (women’s flyweight champion) Valentina (Shevchenko). I understand that. I just want to keep getting fights. I don’t care where they’re ranked.”
To hear more from Chookagian, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
