Is a shot at the Featherweight Title in “Blonde Fighter’s” future with a UFC 238 win?

The stage was set for Katlyn Chookagian, as she was so close to becoming the true contender for the UFC Women’s Flyweight Title. One loss (controversial decision to many) to Jessica Eye changed all of that. Now, instead of fighting Valentina Shevchenko on the main card, she opens the early prelims of UFC 238 against Joanne Calderwood.

With the flyweight division still attempting to find itself, however, Chookagian (11-2) has a chance to make the most of her opportunity.

The New Jersey native will look to impress UFC brass and fans when she opens up UFC 238 in Chicago, Illinois. Ranked second in the UFC’s women’s flyweight rankings according to the UFC, “Blonde Fighter” knows a win against Calderwood (13-3), ranked sixth, will get her closer to the title. Knowing she was one win away from being on the main card facing Shevchenko has made her angry. It has also made her a very motivated fighter. With all the attention on the champion and Eye on UFC Embedded and other promotional material, Chookagian feels cheated.

“Yeah, it’s definitely frustrating,” Chookagian said to MMA Junkie. “It’s more motivation, seeing it in your face, knowing the last time I fell short, and that’s an opportunity I missed. So, seeing it there, especially during fight week, is motivating for sure. In the end, it’ll be a good thing.”

There have been points where Katlyn was quiet during coverage of this fight. Besides the typical war of words at the weigh-in ceremony, there has been no added drama. That is exactly what will make this fight interesting. Chookagian will look for her impressive offense to do the talking for her. With experience in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Katlyn’s leg strikes are almost as impressive as her takedown offense. 2-1 since her return to flyweight, “Blonde Fighter” has her sights set on her future.

That does not mean she is overlooking Calderwood (13-3), who is on a two-fight win streak. 2-2 in her last four fights, Calderwood hasn’t shown clear signs of slowing down. While weight has recently been an issue, her endurance has kept her relevant and dominant. UFC 238 has a powerful slate of female fights scheduled, and Chookagian v. Calderwood will look to set the bar.

With a potential championship bout inside Madison Square Garden in November on her mind, Chookagian knows what is at stake. She will dig deep to right a wrong and move up to become a championship chaser. With the skills to get it all done, adding a little motivation might just make Chookagian extremely dangerous.