'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2. UFC flyweight division: Jennifer Maia vs. Katlyn Chookagian
This one is an odd fight. While both women are highly ranked in the UFC's flyweight division, with Katlyn Chookagian at No.2 and Jennifer Maia at No.4, a title shot for either of them seems unlikely. Even if they win impressively.
That is, of course, because both women have lost handily to UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko in recent years. Maia performed a little better than Chookagian against the champion. She survived for five rounds, while ‘Blonde Fighter’ was stopped in the third round.
Does that mean that Maia has an advantage in this clash? It’s tricky to say, to be honest. It’s true that she definitely possesses better finishing skills, even if we haven’t really seen that in the octagon just yet outside of an armbar win over Joanne Wood.
Overall, the Brazilian is dangerous in all areas. She’s a genuine black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu with dangerous submission skills, holding five wins via tapout in her career. While she doesn’t seem to possess much knockout power, she’s a good striker from a technical standpoint.
The big question here is whether she can work out how to get around the size disadvantage she’s going to have. Standing at 5’4”, Maia is going to be giving up a five inch height and four inch reach to Chookagian, who has used this to her advantage in previous fights.
‘Blonde Fighter’ isn’t a finisher by any means. All nine of her UFC wins have come via decision. However, she’s more than capable of keeping an opponent at the end of her strikes and she’s also capable of blanketing them from top position too.
Essentially, given she isn’t the most explosive fighter in the division, it’s hard to see Maia being able to prevent Chookagian from pulling off her usual gameplan – either grounding the Brazilian for a decision or using long punches and jabs to pick her apart.
So, while it's unlikely to be completely easy for her, the pick is Chookagian via decision.
The pick: Chookagian via unanimous decision
