Katlyn Chookagian is energized to start off a family members with her husband, but that does not necessarily mean her fight job is coming to an conclusion any time quickly.
Rumors recently swirled that the 1-time flyweight title challenger is most likely looking at retirement in the near foreseeable future as she turns her interest away from battling and towards motherhood.
It turns out Chookagian is undoubtedly energized to start off a household of her own. But she’s not done with combating just nevertheless or considering hanging up her gloves immediately after her subsequent combat.
“I’ve been extremely genuine with how I really feel about what I see in my existence in the long run, and I consider at times men and women just take that out of context and say, ‘Oh she’s in excess of it, she needs to have young children,’” Chookagian explained in the course of UFC Struggle Island 6 media working day. “No, I’m just indicating what I see in the long run and what I want soon after preventing. I consider that is a smart point to search earlier it bring about there is a huge component of my existence that is likely to come about when the fighting chapter closes.
“I’ve said before I’m using it at this place, striving to get as many fights as I can. I’m having older so if I could battle every single month then that is fantastic combat now. I claimed I’m getting one particular battle at a time and I consider individuals took that out of context and said this is my past combat and it is absolutely not.”
Chookagian is scheduled to satisfy former strawweight champion Jessica Andrade this weekend as the Brazilian moves to 125 lbs for the initially time in the UFC.
It’s a pivotal matchup in the division as reigning winner Valentina Shevchenko prepares for her up coming bout from Jennifer Maia at UFC 255 in November.
While there will occur a working day when Chookagian retires, she’s not location a time restrict on how a lot lengthier she has in the sport.
“I’m stating I’m having it one battle at a time in which I’m focused on this combat and that’s in which my focus is,” she described. “Then just after that when I have time off, then you tackle what is upcoming in your lifetime.
“For any person that thinks that I’m halfway out or unmotivated, they evidently don’t know me. If I wasn’t motivated, I would not be undertaking this. I unquestionably never have to have to do this. I’m performing this due to the fact I want to and it is a enormous passion of mine.”
Immediately after coming up limited in her bid to grow to be winner with a decline to Shevchenko previously this year, Chookagian knows her highway back again to the title won’t be quick. That explained, she is even now ranked No. 1 in the flyweight division, which suggests the path for any one else hoping to obstacle Shevchenko will probable go by way of her.
“I imagine that my full vocation, even ahead of the UFC, my intention was to be a UFC champion,” Chookagian stated. “I received to the title, I fell short, so now it is kind of like a weird changeover in my profession. Like Okay now what? I’ve hardly ever just fought for income. I generally fought for the title shot. I’m sensible. I know if Andrade gets the acquire, she’s probably acquiring a title shot. If I get the gain, I’m in all probability not receiving a title shot. Just simply because there is loads of other girls in the division.
“With that staying claimed, I just experience I’m acquiring so substantially better in the gymnasium, so it’s motivating for me. If I felt like I was plateauing and I would just be combating for money, that’s certainly nonetheless a motivating component. I experience like I’m nevertheless acquiring better, so I’m nevertheless understanding things. I’m nonetheless keen to be in a position to do them in the octagon on combat working day. I consider that is form of motivating me.”
For the reason that Chookagian remains a challenging problem for any one in the world at 125 pounds, she is aware of the UFC could possibly have a challenging time reserving her for suitable fights provided her position in the division.
It’s component of the purpose why Chookagian is resolute to confront whoever the UFC puts in front of her proper now, and with ample wins, she can’t be denied one more shot at gold.
“I feel for the matchmakers I’m kind of troublesome in the division for the reason that it is tricky to market an additional combat when I just missing with Valentina,” Chookagian explained. “But if they place any new contenders versus me, I’m most possible going to beat them or I’ve currently crushed them. So I believe for ideal now, I’m just using whatsoever fights they give me.
“I want to stay active. I have explained to the matchmakers, I’ll fight any one. I’ve practically by no means explained no to one struggle. Hardly ever claimed no to a battle. I’ll combat any person. If there’s short notices at bantamweight, I’ll combat there. The strain of the title is off but it’s still a purpose.”
English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish