Katlyn Chookagian wants top flyweight contender after first UFC win in division

CHARLOTTE – Katlyn Chookagian felt right at home in her victory at UFC on FOX 27. That’s because she was fighting in her natural weight class for the first time in the UFC.

Chookagian (10-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) defeated Mara Romero Borella (12-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) by unanimous decision on Saturday’s card at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. It was her promotional debut at flyweight, and although she doesn’t feel the performance revealed her best, “Blonde Fighter” was pleased to get the win.

“It felt really good,” Chookagian told MMAjunkie. “It wasn’t the best performance that I could have had, but after being off for a long time from an injury in my last fight, and I was just happy get back in there and get back to my natural weight class and get the win.

“The only three fights I’ve fought at bantamweight were in the UFC,” she continued. “So, I’m undefeated at flyweight, and that’s where I’m comfortable at. That’s where I want to stay.”

Chookagian admits Borella gave her a tougher fight than anticipated at UFC on FOX 27. The goal was to make a big statement to fellow 125-pound contenders, but her opponent provided more resiliency than anticipated.

“I was looking for a finish. That’s kind of what I had in my mind,” Chookagian said. “I kept visualizing that, and I wasn’t able to get it. She’s a good counter-striker, and that threw me off a little bit, but a win’s a win. I’m happy with that.”

After being sidelined with injury since April, Chookagian said it felt good to finally get back to work and win a fight injury-free. She’s ready to return to the octagon soon, she said, and hopes the UFC will give her a fight that allows her to prove exactly where she stands in the weight class.

“I want to be busy,” Chookagian said. “I train all the time, I want to get back in there. I know there’s a card coming up in Atlantic City, so I really want to be on that card, but I’ll take anything as soon as possible.

“I think this is the fourth girl in the top 10 of this division that I’ve beat,” she continued. “I think that should put me up somewhere pretty high. Someone that’s up near the top so I can work my way up.”

For complete coverage of UFC on FOX 27, check out the UFC Events section of the site.