UFC 255

Katlyn Chookagian outpoints Cynthia Calvillo at UFC 255

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The second fight on the UFC 255 main card was a showdown between two top five flyweights. Former title challenger, Katlyn Chookagian (14-4), was looking to bounce back against rising contender, Cynthia Calvillo (9-1-1).

Calvillo was making her second appearance in the UFC‘s flyweight division. After struggling with weight cuts in her strawweight days, Calvillo was forced to move up to flyweight. She defeated the previously top ranked Jessica Eye in her flyweight debut.

Chookagian was looking to bounce back after getting stopped in the first round in her last fight. Katlyn Chookagian lost to former UFC strawweight champion, Jessica Andrade in her last outing. She was looking to get right back into the title picture with a win tonight.

UFC 255: Chookagian – Calvillo Recap

Round 1

As the first round got underway in this UFC flyweight contest, Calvillo opened with a low kick. Chookagian tried to land some shots from range, but Calvillo landed a couple of good counter shots. Calvillo landed a nice left hook and transitioned to a takedown.

However, Chookagian was able to get right back up. Chookagian was stalking Calvillo and throwing some nice crisp jabs. Calvillo started to get tagged with a couple of crisp jabs which forced a shot out of Calvillo. However, Chookagian used a beautiful sprawl to keep the fight standing.

Chookagian was throwing with a force in the first round. Calvillo pushed forward with a minute left and landed a very solid left hook. However, Chookagian countered with a nice left of her own. The UFC‘s second ranked flyweight, Chookagian, looked great in the first round.

Round 2

As the second round opened up, Chookagian continued to stalk Calvillo. Calvillo landed two really good side kicks to the body in the opening minute of the round. However, she was really struggling to get inside on Katlyn Chookagian.

The former UFC title challenger was enjoying a lot of success from the outside. Every time Calvillo started to press forward, Chookagian would pop her with a couple of shots. Calvillo appeared to look incredibly frustrated in the second round.

However, Calvillo landed two massive left hooks with about two minutes left in the round. But neither shot seemed to do a ton of damage to Chookagian. After those two shots, Chookagian went right back to popping Calvillo. Good moments for Calvillo but another round for Chookagian.

Round 3

As the final round of this UFC 255 flyweight contest got underway, Calvillo tried to push forward. However, Chookagian continued to tag her from the outside. Calvillo started to throw more kicks since she couldn’t get on the inside.

Chookagian just looked a step ahead of Cynthia Calvillo. Calvillo tried a couple of blitzes in the first couple of minutes, but nothing landed. Instead, Chookagian continued to pop her with straight shots. Chookagian landed a crisp counter left hook halfway through the round.

I will say that this was the best round striking for Calvillo. She was being much more active with her kicks, but she was still getting outstruck overall. As the fight entered the final minute, Chookagian continued to land from the outside.

Calvillo tried for a takedown late, but she wasn’t able to get it. She landed a really good 1-2, but Chookagian was able to counter her with a few nice shots. Great performance at UFC 255 for Katlyn Chookagian.

Katlyn Chookagian defeats Cynthia Calvillo by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

UFC 255 Preview: Shogun Rua – Paul Craig 2

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Shogun Rua

Kicking off the main card of UFC 255 tomorrow is a rematch in the light heavyweight division. Former light heavyweight champion, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (27-11-1), will be taking on Paul Craig (13-4-1). The fight is a rematch from last November.

The two men previously fought to a split draw last year. Since then the former UFC light heavyweight champion, Rua, fought back on Fight Island when he concluded his trilogy with Antonio Rogero Nogueira.

Rua won that fight by split decision. The former champion is now 2-0-1 in his last three fights, however, he hasn’t looked incredibly impressive in those performances. Shogun will head into tomorrow night as the 14th ranked light heavyweight in the UFC.

Craig on the other hand will come into the fight 15th. Paul Craig is known for one that and that is submitting his opponents. Out of his 13 professional wins, only one of them hasn’t been a submission. Craig has only gone the distance once in his professional career and that was against Shogun.

UFC 255 Prediction

This is such an interesting fight to think about. Both men are inside the top 15 of the UFC‘s light heavyweight division, however, both are in vastly different career positions. Shogun is clearly on his way out the door in his fighting career.

Meanwhile, Craig is looking to take another step forward to getting to fight top ten competition. I think that we are going to learn a lot about this fight in the opening round tomorrow night.

If the former UFC light heavyweight champion can establish his leg kicks early and maintain good striking distance, he’s got a great chance. Craig is the bigger man, but his striking isn’t anything to write home about.

While Shogun is a black belt in Jiu Jitsu, Craig wants to get this fight to the mat. He should have a big advantage on the mat and we have seen Shogun submitted before. Shogun’s cardio concerned me in his last fight, but we’ve only seen Craig go the distance once.

I’m honestly not sure who will have the cardio advantage. When making a prediction, I think that Craig is going to be able to get this fight to the ground. I think his strength on the ground will prevail and he will get the win over the former UFC champion.

Prediction: Paul Craig by Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) – Round 2

Mike Perry badly misses weight for UFC 255

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Tomorrow night, one of the more interesting characters in MMA is returning to fight at UFC 255. That character would be Mike Perry (14-6) who is set to take on Tim Means (30-12-1) on the main card tomorrow night.

Perry was originally supposed to face Robbie Lawler tomorrow night. However, Lawler had to pull out of UFC 255 with an injury and Means stepped in on short notice to take the fight against Perry.

Very early this morning, Perry started tweeting out issues about his weight cut for UFC 255. In one tweet, Perry even said, “Maybe I should just lay the gloves down. I don’t want it. I’m just in over my head with this weight.”

All morning there have been questions on whether Perry was being serious or if he was faking. However, we learned today at the weigh ins that Perry’s struggle were obviously very real.

Perry stepped to the scale today and told the commissioner, “Baby, we not even close.” While standing on the scale, Perry’s weight was called out at a staggering 175.5 which is 4.5 pounds over the welterweight limit. As of now, the fight is still on for tomorrow night.

UFC 255 Prediction

For what it’s worth, Tim Means did successfully weigh in for UFC 255. Going on the assumption that the fight is still going to take place tomorrow night, it just got even more difficult for Mike Perry.

For Perry to be successful in this fight, I figured he would have to use his wrestling. I really don’t see him outstriking Means over three rounds unless he’s able to land something massive and finish Means.

I was leaning towards Means before this weight cut issue at UFC 255. Factoring this in really doesn’t help Mike Perry in my eyes. Perry was trying to win his second fight in a row and Means was also looking to win his second fight in a row.

I think when the cage door closes, Mike Perry is going to show his toughness tomorrow. He’s going to try to come forward, but I don’t think his cardio is going to hold. I think Means picks him apart over the final two rounds and takes a decision or a finish in this one.

Prediction: Tim Means by Unanimous Decision

UFC 255 Preview: Katlyn Chookagian – Cynthia Calvillo

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Tomorrow night on the main card of UFC 255, there is a flyweight matchup which is pivotal for the division. Two of the top four ranked contenders in the division go head to head as Katlyn Chookagian (14-4) takes on Cynthia Calvillo (9-1-1).

Calvillo made her UFC flyweight debut back in the summer. She originally competed the in strawweight division, however, she struggled with making the weight. After missing weight a couple of times, Calvillo was forced to move up to flyweight.

In her divisional debut, she was tasked with taking on former title challenger, Jessica Eye. Eye was the UFC‘s top flyweight contender at the time so Calvillo jumped right in to the deep end in her debut at 125.

Calvillo and Eye headlined the card and Calvillo was able to grind out a decision over five rounds. She used her superior grappling and strength to take the decision from the former title challenger. A win tomorrow night could make Calvillo one of the next in line for the title.

Katlyn Chookagian is standing in her way. Chookagian was the top ranked contender in the flyweight division a month ago. That is until she ran into former UFC strawweight champion, Jessica Andrade.

Andrade was also moving up from 115 pounds and stopped Chookagian in the first round. Chookagian is still ranked second in the division, however, if she loses tomorrow night, she would just be 1-3 in her last four fights.

UFC 255 Prediction

When it comes to UFC 255, I think a lot of it is going to come down to how the fight takes place. I think if Chookagian wants to get back on track, she’s got to do it with her distance striking. Chookagian is very long for the flyweight division.

If she can keep the fight standing, I think she has a good chance to outpoint Calvillo. However, keeping the fight standing is easier said that done. Jessica Andrade was able to slam Chookagian down to the ground a couple of times within a round last month.

Calvillo might not be as strong as Andrade, but she has tremendous wrestling skills. She has to get the fight to the mat and use her top control to win this one. I think Chookagian will have success on the feet, but I think Calvillo’s wrestling gives her the edge tomorrow night.

Prediction: Cynthia Calvillo by Unanimous Decision

UFC 255 Preview: Valentina Shevchenko – Jennifer Maia

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Tomorrow night in the UFC 255 co-main event, we will see one of the best pure martial artists in the world. Valentina Shevchenko (19-3) will take center stage as she defends her UFC flyweight title against top contender, Jennifer Maia (18-6-1).

When you think of the best fighters in the UFC man or woman, you have to think of Valentina Shevchenko. The UFC champion from Kyrgyzstan has no holes in her game. Her striking is world class and her grappling is world class.

Not too mention that she has a killer instinct that is only rivaled by Amanda Nunes. Nunes is widely considered to be the greatest female fighter of all time. The only two true losses Shevchenko has had in her career were to Nunes who is much bigger than she is.

That being said, both of their fights were close and a lot of people thought Shevchenko won the second fight. After the second loss to Nunes, the UFC started the flyweight division which is perfect for Shevchenko. The rest is simply history.

She has stormed through and dominated every opponent in her way at 125 pounds. Whether it’s striking or grappling, Shevchenko hasn’t really been challenged in her flyweight career. Jennifer Maia is looking to be the first person to do that.

Jennifer Maia earned this title shot by defeating top contender JoJo Calderwood. Calderwood was supposed to get the next shot at the title, but Shevchenko was injured. Maia stepped up and submitted Calderwood in the first round to take her UFC title shot.

Maia has improving striking skills, but she really shines on the mat. The Jiu Jitsu blackbelt has a very good top game, and in her last fight, she showed just how good she is off of her back.

UFC 255 Prediction

You can’t get more lopsided than the odds of tomorrow night’s UFC flyweight title fight. Shevchenko is closing at nearly -1700 on the current betting lines. There’s a good reason why she’s such a big favorite tomorrow.

The only area of the fight that Maia might have the advantage is on pure Jiu Jitsu skills. That’s not saying that she’s better when you factor in all of the other aspects of grappling like wrestling and clinch work.

In reality, I can’t see any scenario where Jennifer Maia walks out tomorrow night the UFC flyweight champion. The only way it happens is if somehow Shevchenko makes a giant mistake and gets caught in a submission.

Maia has improved striking skills, but I think she’s going to get lit up on the feet. I also don’t believe she has the wrestling skills to get the fight to the ground. I think this is going to be a one-sided beating for however long it lasts.

Prediction: Valentina Shevchenko by TKO – Round 3

UFC 255 Preview: Deiveson Figueiredo – Alex Perez

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Tomorrow night at UFC 255, the promotion is showcasing both the men’s and the women’s flyweight divisions. Both champions will defend their titles and in the main event of the evening Deiveson Figueiredo (19-1) takes on Alex Perez (24-5).

The fight will mark the first official title defense for the UFC champion, Figueiredo. Back in February, Figueiredo knocked out Joseph Benavidez in a fight that was supposed to be for the UFC title.

However, Figueiredo missed weight and the title wasn’t on the line. Figueiredo then fought Benavidez again in July for the title and ran through him after making weight. Deiveson Figueiredo looks like an absolute force at flyweight.

Figueiredo is very big for the weight class and he has great skills everywhere. He’s got good striking with tremendous power and he’s incredibly slick on the ground. Figueiredo can lull you to sleep with his deliberate pace but his long arms and power catches opponents off guard.

Standing across from the champion will be contender series veteran, Alex Perez. Perez earned his shot in the UFC back in 2017 and has only lost to Joseph Benavidez since in seven fights with the promotion.

Perez also has a very well rounded skillset and he has tremendous leg kicks. Back at UFC 250, Perez finished Jussier Formiga with a heavy dose of calf kicks. Perez definitely has the skills to put up a fight against the champion.

UFC 255 Prediction

The UFC 255 main event should be a fun one for however long it lasts. Both Figueiredo and Perez are very well rounded fighters so I think it should be relatively even during some of the exchanges.

However, I think there’s a clear favorite in this one and that would be the champion. I’m expecting Perez to come out and try to start fast, but I expect Figueiredo to just be waiting and picking his shots.

There is no one at flyweight that possesses the power of Figueiredo. He also has this killer instinct and he seems to be taking his career seriously. I’m expecting Perez to have some moments early, but those will only come as Figueiredo is figuring out the fight.

I think in the second round, you’ll see the champion really start to settle in. Expect a back and forth early, but I see a big shot closing the show late in the second round tomorrow night. Figueiredo will retain his UFC title tomorrow night.

Prediction: Deiveson Figueiredo by TKO – Round 2

What does Jennifer Maia have to do at UFC 255 to pull the upset?

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Saturday night at UFC 255, Jennifer Maia (18-6-1) has the biggest opportunity of her career in front of her. She will be taking on the undisputed queen of the flyweight division in Valentina Shevchenko (19-3).

Shevchenko is one of the very best fighters in the world. Two of her three career losses have come to UFC two-division champion, Amanda Nunes. However, many people believe that Shevchenko won the second matchup with Nunes.

The UFC created the flyweight division and she has reigned supreme at 125 pounds. Shevchenko hasn’t even been challenged really at flyweight. She is the total package and is a matchup nightmare for anyone in the division.

For that reason, Jennifer Maia is a massive underdog on Saturday evening. However, Maia possesses a very good skillset and she shouldn’t be counted out. The former Invicta champion certainly has the confidence she needs to pull off the upset.

How does she win at UFC 255?

Back in August, Jennifer Maia took on JoJo Calderwood. Calderwood was supposed to get a UFC title shot back in June, but Shevchenko injured her knee. Instead of waiting around, Calderwood took a fight to remain active.

Maia was coming off of a loss to Katlyn Chookagian and many viewed the fight as a tune-up for Calderwood. Sure, Maia was a tough opponent, but the general assumption was that Calderwood would do what she needed to do.

That didn’t happen. Maia was very impressive on her feet then used her great Jiu Jitsu skills to submit Calderwood in the first round. After the fight was over, Maia was given the next shot at the UFC flyweight title.

So how does Maia have a chance on Saturday? While Maia looked good on her feet against Calderwood, she should have no illusions about trying to strike with Shevchenko. If she tries to keep the fight standing, I think she’ll get lit up like a Christmas tree.

Maia has to figure out a way to get this fight to the ground. She’s incredibly strong and has very slick submissions on the ground. Shevchenko is so good on the ground too, but if there’s one area where Maia is at or near the same level, it’s on the ground.

If Maia wants to dethrone the UFC‘s flyweight queen, she has to get it done on the mat. However, Shevchenko has proved that the ground is no picnic with her. The odds are lopsided for a reason, but in a fight, anything can happen.

Is UFC 255 a do or die for Katlyn Chookagian?

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This weekend at UFC 255, one of the top contenders in the flyweight division will get her chance to bounce back. Katlyn Chookagian (14-4) will be taking on Cynthia Calvillo (9-1-1) on the main card of UFC 255.

Chookagian suffered a crushing loss in her last fight. Going into her last fight against Jessica Andrade, Chookagian was the top ranked contender in the UFC‘s flyweight division.

She had a massive size advantage against the much smaller Andrade. However, it was apparent from the opening bell that she didn’t have the strength advantage. Despite being smaller in stature, the former UFC strawweight champion was much stronger.

Andrade slammed Chookagian to the ground a couple of times in the first round. Towards the end of the round, Chookagian was blasted with hooks to the body which crumbled her and gave the TKO victory to the former UFC champion.

It was a big setback for Chookagian who was hoping to assert herself as the next in line for Valentina Shevchenko. Chookagian holds a victory over the woman who’s going to be fighting for the title Saturday night, Jennifer Maia.

UFC 255 Flyweight Matchup

For the second time in a row, Chookagian will be taking on a former strawweight. Cynthia Calvillo will be making her second appearance in the flyweight division after making her debut in a main event back in June against Jessica Eye.

Eye was the top ranked flyweight in the UFC when Calvillo took her on. Calvillo used her superior wrestling skills to take a decision that night. What we’ve seen so far is that the strawweights are having success moving up in weight.

However, Chookagian is looking to pause the momentum of the former strawweights. In this fight with Calvillo, Chookagian is going to have to keep it standing if she wants to win. She can’t let Calvillo take her down.

If she doesn’t show good takedown defense on Saturday night, it’s not going to be a good night. We don’t know how much longer Chookagian has in her UFC career. She’s openly talked about walking away to start a family.

If she can’t win on Saturday night, she would be just 1-3 in her last four contests with two of those losses coming to former strawweights. Reality is that Saturday could be a do or die situation for the former title challenger.

UFC Booking Cynthia Calvillo – Katlyn Chookagian

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The UFC is currently finalizing a big time flyweight contest for their November PPV. Per ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, the promotion is finalizing a flyweight contest between Cynthia Calvillo (9-1-1) and Katlyn Chookagian (14-4).

The fight will take place on November 21st at UFC 255. The co-headliner that night is the women’s flyweight title fight between Valentina Shevchenko and Jennifer Maia. This is a big matchup for both ladies who have their eyes on climbing the ranks.

We just saw Chookagian a few weeks ago when she took on Jessica Andrade at UFC Fight Island 6. Chookagian was looking for his second consecutive win as she was hoping to get another shot at UFC champion, Valentina Shevchenko.

However, she ran into a buzzsaw in Andrade. Despite looking like the much bigger fighter, Chookagian was bullied in the matchup. Late in the first round, Andrade landed a vicious hook to the body and a follow up that closed the show.

It was a devastating loss for Chookagian. Now, she will look to get back into the win column with a victory over Calvillo. With Calvillo being ranked fourth in the division, a win would put Chookagian right back into the title picture.

UFC 255 Flyweight Clash

Cynthia Calvillo will be making her second appearance in the UFC‘s flyweight division. She made her debut back in June when she headlined a card against former top contender, Jessica Eye. That night, Calvillo used her wrestling to get the victory.

At the time, Eye was the top ranked flyweight contender in the UFC. It was a big statement for Calvillo to pick up the victory that night. If she’s able to defeat Chookagian it would give her two wins over two top contenders in the flyweight division.

Whoever comes out on top at UFC 255 has to be in the title picture. Calvillo to me has more to gain from this matchup since she’s already coming off of a win. Chookagian has the most to lose however, given that if she loses to Calvillo she would be on a two fight losing streak looking at a steep climb back up the division.

UFC books Mike Perry – Tim Means

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It’s been quite the year for Platinum Mike Perry (14-6). In terms of his UFC career, Perry got a big win over Mickey Gall back in June to get his career back on the right path. However, things outside the cage of made it tough on Perry.

One of the notable things that have occurred outside the UFC octagon was his bar fight with an elderly man. Then on top of that, he’s been accused of domestic violence. He also made headlines by having his girlfriend be his only corner member in his last UFC fight.

Previously, Perry was supposed to take on former UFC champion, Robbie Lawler. The fight was supposed to take place on the main card of UFC 255. However, last week, Lawler had to pull out of the fight with an injury. 

Perry is itching to get back into the cage and he started calling fighters out including Khamzat Chimaev. However, the UFC has settled on an opponent for Perry at UFC 255. Per ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Perry will be taking on The Dirty Bird, Tim Means (30-12-1, 1 NC).

Solid replacement from the UFC

Means is coming off of a win back in August against Laureano Staropoli. Means is 3-3 in his last six fights, but he usually puts up a good fight whenever he’s in the cage. He should give Perry a very good matchup at UFC 255.

Both men will be coming into this contest looking to win their second consecutive fight in the UFC. If Perry is able to win, I think the UFC could look at re-booking the fight between him and Lawler. Perhaps someone else on the fringe top 15.

Given the striking skills of Tim Means, I would think Perry will likely try to lean on his wrestling skills in this matchup. Although, we know that Perry loves to stand in trade. However, the much longer and precise Means could edge him on striking for points. Should be a pretty good matchup.