Report: Chookagian vs. Maia planned for UFC 244

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

The next challenger for Valentina Shevchenko could be determined at UFC 244.

A women’s flyweight fight between top contenders Katlyn Chookagian and Jennifer Maia is being targeted for UFC 244 in November.

Newsday first reported the matchup, though the UFC are yet to make an official announcement. It’s more than likely the winner of this fight will be next in line to face flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, who defended her title this past weekend defeating Liz Carmouche by decision.

Number two ranked women’s flyweight Chookagian (12-2) comes into the fight with Maia on the back of a decision win against Joanne Calderwood in June. Her only loss of late comes against former title challenger Jessica Eye, with “Blonde Fighter” picking up wins against Irene Aldana and Mara Romero Borella at 125-pounds.

Maia (17-5-1) suffered her first loss in four years when she made her UFC debut against Carmouche, losing by decision. The Brazilian was then suspended for six-months by USADA for failing a drug test, but since then she has returned to win consecutive decisions against Alexis Davis and Roxanne Modafferi.

No main event has yet been announced for UFC 244, which takes place on November 2nd at Madison Square Garden. The only other fights currently confirmed for the card is a light heavyweight fight between Johnny Walker and Corey Anderson, and a heavyweight scrap between Derrick Lewis and Blagoy Ivanov.