The underrated fights to watch at UFC 238 in Chicago, Illinois
This Saturday, the UFC will be making its way back to Chicago, Illinois for UFC 238: Cejudo vs Moraes.
Here are the underrated fights to watch for this incredibly stacked fight card:
Katlyn Chookagian vs Joanne Calderwood
One of the most competitive fights at UFC women’s flyweight right now, will take place on Fight Pass. Chookagian vs Calderwood.
Katlyn ‘Blonde Fighter’ Chookagian was on an absolute hot streak when she crash landed into the UFC octagon. She began her pro career with a perfect 8-0 record, including a win in her UFC debut against Lauren Murphy. She won the fight by unanimous decision. The first loss of her career came in her second UFC fight, when she dropped a split decision to fellow flyweight contender, Liz Carmouche. Since then, she was able to go on an impressive 3-fight win streak, including wins over Irene Aldana and Alexis Davis. In her most recent fight, Chookagian lost to current flyweight title challenger, Jessica Eye.
Her opponent, Joanne Calderwood, also entered the UFC with an impressive record, 9-0 to be exact. She defeated Seo Hee Ham at the TUF 20 Finale, but came up short in her official UFC debut, losing to Maryna Moroz by submission. Since then, her career has been a bit up and down, losing some and winning some. She holds wins over some of the divisions most notable challengers, including Valerie Letourneau, Cortney Casey and Ariane Lipski.
Both of these women are reaching for the top of the division and are very likely to bring the heat. You don’t want to miss this one!
Aljamain Sterling vs Pedro Munhoz
One of the most important fights in the UFC men’s bantamweight division right now will be spicing up the preliminary card. This one is going to be excellent.
Aljamain ‘Funk Master’ Sterling first entered the UFC on an 8-fight win streak. He was 8-0 and went on to capture 4 consecutive wins inside the octagon, before dropping a split decision to Bryan Caraway in 2016. Since then, Sterling has fought 7 more times in the division, picking up 5 wins and 2 losses. He has fought some of the best contenders in the division today, including Raphael Assuncao, Marlon Moraes and Jimmie Rivera. After losing to Moraes via KO at Fight Night 123, Sterling kept it moving and went on a 3-fight win streak, including wins over Cody Stamann and Jimmie Rivera. At UFC 238, he will be facing arguably his biggest challenge yet, surging bantamweight contender Pedro Munhoz.
Munhoz holds a professional record of 18-3, including 4 KOs and 9 submissions. A true finisher. In his most recent fight, he stopped former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt via first-round TKO. Munhoz is 7-1 in his last 8 fights, including wins over Rob Font, Brett Johns and Bryan Caraway, who defeated Sterling by decision, handing him his first loss in the UFC. Munhoz has this sort of brawler style, which I believe will really bring the fight to Aljamain Sterling. Munhoz likes to push the pace and Sterling more so likes to control the pace. Should be a great fight.
This fight is likely a #1 contender fight to see who will be next for a shot at the 135-pound strap. It could very well be the winner of this fight vs the winner of Cejudo vs Moraes next. You don’t want to miss out!
Tatiana Suarez vs Nina Ansaroff
In the main event of the UFC 238 preliminary card, surging contender Tatiana Suarez will be fighting Nina Ansaroff, in what is very likely a #1 contender fight for the strawweight strap. Suarez holds a professional record of 7-0, with 5 finishes, including 3 submissions and 2 KOs. She holds a UFC record of 3-0, including wins over Alexa Grasso and former champion, Carla Esparza. Many have regarded Suarez as ‘The Female Khabib’ because of her stellar wrestling and intense, constant pressure while in top position. An overall reasonable comparison to the style of which Khabib is excellent at.
Her opponent, Nina Ansaroff, holds a professional record of 10-5, including 4 KOs and 2 submissions. In her most recent fight, she defeated former title challenger Claudia Gadelha via unanimous decision. Ansaroff is currently riding a four-fight win streak, including wins over Angela Hill and Randa Markos.
This fight is going to be a great one, in my opinion. Two absolute forces of the strawweight division and they are both scrapping the top of the division. You don’t want to miss out on this one.
All of the action will be going down on Saturday, June 8th, live on PPV.
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The Scrap’s Kevin Mahoney is a college graduate from Salem State University who loves to write, make music, and watch MMA. Make sure to follow Kevin on Twitter (@KeysRealTalk) and listen to his Lee N Keys Real Talk Podcast every Wednesday on BlogTalkRadio.
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