KATLYN CHOOKAGIAN VS. CYNTHIA CALVILLO
In addition to flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko defending her title against Jennifer Maia on Saturday night, recent title challenger Katlyn Chookagian returns to face off with rising contender Cynthia Calvillo in a bout that is guaranteed to have an impact on the title picture in the 125-pound weight class.
Chookagian makes her fourth appearance of the year and third since losing to Shevchenko in February, once again looking to rebound from a stoppage loss after running into divisional newcomer Jessica Andrade last time out. The 31-year-old “Blonde Fighter” has become the veteran presence hopefuls need to vanquish in order to establish themselves as true title threats, and a string of victories over said hopefuls could one day have her back in the championship mix, as well.
Calvillo debuted in the 125-pound weight class in June with a unanimous decision win over Jessica Eye, extending her unbeaten streak to four. She was slated to face Lauren Murphy a few weeks back at UFC 254, but was forced to withdraw, and instead finds herself sharing the Octagon with Chookagian here, where a second consecutive win over a former title challenger would put her in great position to potentially fight for the flyweight strap herself in 2021.
This is the type of matchup each woman needs at this point in their respective careers, as Chookagian gets the chance to rebound quickly by turning back a talented foe, thereby securing her place as a Top 5 fixture, while Calvillo can cement her standing as a bona fide contender by upending a second straight elite talent.
However this one shakes out, it should have major ramifications on the rankings and how things get lined up in the first quarter of next year in the flyweight division.
MAURICIO RUA VS. PAUL CRAIG
Just over a year after they battled to a draw in Sao Paulo, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Paul Craig are set to run it back this weekend at UFC 255.
The former champion Rua has been one of the quieter fun stories over the last several years, as he enters Saturday’s contest with a 5-1-1 record over his last seven fights. And despite closing in on the big 4-0, the Brazilian legend is still more than happy to wade into the fray and engage, as he showed last time out against fellow icon Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.
Scotland’s Craig is beginning to settle into a rhythm as well, entering this weekend’s rematch with Rua unbeaten in his last three. A submission expert whose striking is still a work in progress, Craig’s first fight with “Shogun” remains the lone time he’s gone to the scorecards, and you can be sure he’ll be looking for ways to get this to the ground and secure the finish from the outset.
The light heavyweight division is currently resetting itself in the wake of Jon Jones’ departure and Jan Blachowicz’ ascent to the throne, and while Rua and Craig are currently on the outside of the title picture looking in, a quality effort here for either man would certainly help close that gap.
