UFC 280: Manon Fiorot vs Katlyn Chookagian Picks, Predictions, Odds

Katlyn Chookagian and Manon Fiorot fight Saturday in UFC 280 at the Etihad Arena. Chookagian enters this fight with a 18-4 record and has won 83 percent of her fights by decision. Fiorot enters this fight with a 9-1 record and has won 67 percent of her fights by knockout.

Chookagian has won 5 of her last 6 fights and is coming off a May win over Amanda Ribas. Chookagian is averaging 4.56 significant strikes per minute, with an accuracy percentage of 35 percent. Chookagian is averaging 0.28 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 15 percent. Chookagian is coming off a decision win at UFC on ESPN 36 where she landed 71 total strikes and 28 percent of her significant strikes. The bout earned fight of the night honors, and Chookagian has now won each of her last 4 fights. Chookagian has now won 15 of her 17 career decisions, and 13 of her last 15 fights have gone the distance. Chookagian is most comfortable standing up, as she has some decent striking skills and a background in karate, and she does have 2 knockouts with her knees. However, Chookagian is more of a points’ fighter who doesn’t take much risk, doesn’t put much power behind her shots and is looking to do just enough to get a victory with the judges. A brown belt in BJJ, Chookagian’s fights can be very tough to judge due to the lack of action a lot of the time and not much accuracy with her shots. Chookagian has never been submitted in her career. This will be Chookagian’s second career fight in the United Arab Emirates.

Fiorot has won each of her last 9 fights and is coming off a March win over Jennifer Maia. Fiorot is averaging 6.60 significant strikes per minute, with an accuracy percentage of 45 percent. Fiorot is averaging 1.91 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 50 percent. Fiorot is coming off a decision win at UFC on ESPN 33 where she landed 101 total strikes and 60 percent of her significant strikes. Fiorot is now 4-0 under the UFC banner and hasn’t lost a fight overall since her pro debut at Cage Warriors 94. Fiorot is a polished striker at heart, as she’s a black belt in karate and has a boxing background as well. A two-time French kickboxing champion, Fiorot does her best work on her feet, and she has 6 career knockouts. Fiorot has also held her own in the clinch and doesn’t mind shooting for a takedown. The Beast may still be getting her feet wet in the UFC waters, but she’s a polished fighter who is quickly rising up the rankings in the flyweight division. This will be Fiorot’s fifth career fight in the United Arab Emirates. 

Chookagian is the more experienced firghter and is solid defensively, but this feels like a bad spot for her. Chookagian just doesn’t do enough offensively to scare opponents, and it makes Fiorot that much more attractive. Fiorot is well-balanced in all areas, and her standup is going to force Chookagian to counter with something. Chookagian has to match her opponent’s aggressiveness, and that’s really just not in her style. This feels like a fight where Fiorot can just force the issue and win the fight by either finish or simply being the busier fighter.

Give me Fiorot, and I’ll side with her by finish to shave down the price.