KATLYN CHOOKAGIAN VS JENNIFER MAIA FACTS
When is UFC on ESPN 32? Saturday 15th January, 2022 - 22:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN 32? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN 32? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC events
What channel is UFC on ESPN 32 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 32? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
KATLYN CHOOKAGIAN VS JENNIFER MAIA LOWDOWN
Perennial top contender, Katlyn Chookagian (16-4) returns after only managing to fight once last year. She fought three times in 2020 starting with her title shot after unanimous decisions over Joanne Wood and Jennifer Maia the year before. Like all the other flyweights, she got dominated my Valentina Shevchenko eventually getting pummelled with elbows on the ground to seal a TKO. Chookagian replied with a unanimous decision over the Queen’s sister Antonina before getting folded by a perfect liver shot by Jessica Andrade. She has then bounced back with two more vintage unanimous decisions over Cynthia Calvillo and Viviane Araujo to remain at the shallow queue of contenders.
After losing their first encounter, Jennifer Maia (19-7-1) has only fought three times with memorable performances. She took on Wood after the loss to Chookagian and put on an immaculate performance submitting the Scot in the first round earning a title shot. Maia did better than most against Shevchenko taking her to a decision and she even won a round. She also only fought once last year picking up a unanimous decision win which was over Jessica Eye back in July.
KATLYN CHOOKAGIAN VS JENNIFER MAIA PREDICTION
Chookagian took home the spoils first time around in 2019 with a classy striking performance. Her class on the feet was on full display out landing Maia and frustrating her with her defence and movement.
Maia is a good boxer but Chookagian is one of the best technical strikers in the division who utilises her range very well so it was a bad move for Maia to engage in a stand-up battle. If she decides to stand and trade again, the fight will follow the same pattern with Chookagian constantly circling peppering Maia from range while avoiding the majority of her offence to sway the judges.
The only way this fight goes differently is if Maia calls upon her grappling. She only attempted two takedowns in their first fight succeeding with one, but she has the ability to subdue Chookagian up against the fence and rack up control time.
The more Maia grapples the more chance she has in squeaking out a decision or even a submission if she can get Chookagian on her back, but we back the rangier fighter to create enough space to pile on enough volume on the feet to bag at least two rounds.
Chookagian’s lack of power and Maia’s boring path to victory is unlikely to raise the roof in this one.
Prediction: Chookagian via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Maia via Decision