Date: November 12, 2016 Arena: Madison Square Garden City: New York City, NY Women’s Bantamweight bout: Liz Carmouche (+155) vs Katlyn Chookagian (-175) Fight Breakdown: Kicking things off for UFC 200 at Madison Square Garden in New York City on UFC Fight Pass will be a women’s bantamweight contest between Liz “Girl-Rilla” Carmouche and Katlyn “Blonde Fighter” Chookagian, with Carmouche being a +155 ($100 to win $155) underdog, with Chookagian being a -175 ($175 to win $100) favorite at Several Bookmakerss. Liz “Girl-Rilla” Carmouche (10-5, 2-3 UFC) last saw action more than a year and a half ago at UFC Fight Night 63, taking a controversial split decision win over Lauren Murphy. “Girl-Rilla” is a physically strong athlete who is good at taking her opponents down to the canvas and controlling them there while laying a beating. She is good at putting the pressure on her opponents, and they find it difficult to get out from under her once they find themselves in bottom position. Carmouche has an improving and solid Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu game, recently winning an EBI Jiu-Jitsu match-up via heel hook submission. Her striking is rudimentary but she has been making improvements in that department as well. She has a good chin and favors countering her opponents, using a selective shot selection and not putting too many combinations together. Training out of Team Hurricane Awesome and 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu in San Diego, CA, Carmouche is generally a well-conditioned fighter, though her cardio will be something to keep an eye on in this contest, considering her extended layoff. Katlyn “Blonde Fighter” Chookagian (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) made her promotional debut against the aforementioned Lauren Murphy in Sioux Falls earlier this year and defeated her via unanimous decision. She showed great heart and mental toughness in that bout, after losing the second round and coming back strong in the third, unwilling to lose the fight. An advantage she will have over Carmouche heading into this contest is the fact that she has won six fights since Carmouche last stepped foot inside the Octagon. A more relevant advantage will be in the striking department, as Chookagian is a talented striker who has been training since the age of four, starting with Karate. The Armenian has excellent footwork and head movement; she works a nice jab and possesses a solid uppercut. She counters well, is quick on her feet and puts together some phenomenal combinations, including a fantastic 1-2. She throws high in volume and is quite effective with all limbs. She has a variety of great kicks and likes to do damage with her knees from inside the clinch. “Blonde Fighter” owns a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is very talented on the mat, both from top and bottom positions. She has great takedown defense and works solid takedowns of her own, doing a good a good job of timing them. Training under the tutelage of Mark Henry in New Jersey, Chookagian is a well-conditioned athlete who will be ready for a full 15-minutes of action against Carmouche and she will be enjoying the home advantage. Gabe’s Thoughts: Going with the Karatedo here, as I see Chookagian finding success in keeping this fight standing and outstriking Carmouche. I think she has a good chance of stopping Carmouche with strikes, but otherwise I see her cruising to a unanimous decision victory on the judges’ scorecards. Gabe’s Call: Chookagian by T/KO (strikes, 3:23 round 1) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Chookagian (-175) 5.25u to win 3u
