Ew, Why Did She Say Certainly To Fight Me?

In spite of returning to 115 lbs following a thriving flyweight debut in opposition to Paige VanZant in 2020, Ribas has made a decision to at the time all over again check the waters at 125 lbs. Presented that she’s dealing with the #1 contender in the excess weight course, these waters glance set to be choppy.

Chookagian herself has now admitted her surprise at the matchup. All through UFC Vegas 54 media day on Wednesday, the former title challenger said that as very well as staying taken aback by the provide, she was even far more stunned to listen to that the Brazilian experienced recognized it.

“I was tremendous astonished they requested me if I preferred to combat Amanda Ribas,” said Chookagian. “I was like, ‘Wait, at what bodyweight course? At 125?’ Since I did not know she was — I did not listen to just about anything about her seeking to transfer up, so I was a very little stunned. I was like, ‘Yeah, absolutely.’

“And I was like, ‘She’s in all probability not gonna say indeed.’ Then they came back again like, ‘Oh, she claimed yes.’ So I was like, ‘Wait, why did she say yes to me?’ I was like, ‘Ew.’ But yeah, I’m fired up.”

Irrespective of her surprise, Chookagian went on to depth why she thinks the matchup, which she branded a “win-win” for her opponent, helps make perception for #9-ranked strawweight Ribas.

“To me, it would make sense. Coming from a distinct division, you struggle someone that’s ranked super large, you get a excellent gain, and you almost certainly get talks about a title shot,” claimed Chookagian. “So, it’s form of a acquire-acquire problem for her. But yeah, I’m psyched. I’ll struggle everyone. I don’t seriously treatment.”

On the flip facet, presented her proximity to the title and her operate of wins in the division, enthusiasts would probably be forgiven for suggesting that the matchup does not make a lot perception for Chookagian.

But for “Blonde Fighter,” the motto is ‘anyone, wherever.’

Chookagian Not Fazed By Unranked Ribas: I Never Consider Rankings Necessarily mean Significantly

When requested no matter whether she was at all hesitant when the bout agreement was slid across the desk by the UFC, Chookagian mentioned that she targets fresh new opponents, no issue their placement in the rankings, which she doesn’t imagine to be as important as they used to be.

Chookagian also hopes that a precedent has been set with the matchup, indicating that if she ventures to bantamweight down the line, she’d be granted a equivalent large-ranked opponent straight out the gate.

“I don’t actually fret about any person else’s occupation, except for mine. I consider it is interesting ’cause I’m like, ‘Ooh, wait around, if I go to 135, will I get the amount a person contender and then get a title shot?’ But yeah, I do not care,” extra Chookagian. “I like combating persons that I have not fought before. I just will need to keep winning. I really do not feel the rankings, particularly now, I don’t assume they mean as considerably as they employed to.”