Katlyn Cerminara Explained
Katlyn Cerminara (; born December 28, 1988) is an American professional mixed martial artist. She has formerly competed in the Bantamweight division[2] and currently competes in the Flyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of April 2, 2024, she is #7 in the UFC women's flyweight rankings.[3]
Early life and education
Cerminara was born in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, where she graduated from Quakertown Senior High School.[4] She is of Armenian descent.[5] [6]
Her first job was serving pizza at Q-Mart,[7] and she also worked as a bartender in Hoboken, New Jersey.[8]
Cerminara started training karate when she was four years old, started fighting as an amateur in mixed martial arts (MMA) in 2012, and became a professional in 2014.[9] [10] Her teammates and training partners have included Gordon Ryan, Claudia Gadelha, Sijara Eubanks, and the team captain Frankie Edgar. Cerminara holds a bachelor's degree in business management and marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University.[11]
Career
Mixed martial arts career
After going 7–0 as an amateur, Cerminara made her professional mixed martial arts debut against Rebecca Heintzman on June 28, 2014, at CFFC 37.[12] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[13]
Cerminara made her second professional fight at on September 13, 2014.[14] Katlyn Cerminara secured a knockout triumph against 44-year-old Brigitte Narcise at 38 seconds of the final round in the flyweight category.[15]
Cerminara had her two subsequent bouts canceled. Against Allanna Jones in the Ring of Combat 49, and against Nohime Dennison at CFFC 45. Finally, on May 9, 2015, she fought twice in the same day, beating Linn Wennergren by unanimous decision,[16] and Melinda Fábián by submission in the first round.
She returned to the event where she made her debut, the CFFC, and held three more fights there.[17] The results continued great: two belts, two victories by unanimous decision and one by knockout, due to a knee.[18]
Cerminara debuted in the UFC on July 13, 2016, at against Lauren Murphy.[19] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[20]
Cerminara next fought Liz Carmouche at UFC 205.[21] She lost the bout via split decision.[22]
Cerminara faced Irene Aldana at UFC 210 on April 8, 2017.[23] She won the fight by decision.[24]
Cerminara faced Mara Romero Borella on January 27, 2018, at .[25] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[26]
Cerminara faced Alexis Davis on July 28, 2018, at UFC on Fox 30.[27] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[28]
Cerminara faced Jessica Eye on December 8, 2018, at UFC 231.[29] She lost the fight by split decision.[30]
Cerminara faced Joanne Calderwood on June 8, 2019, at UFC 238.[31] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[32]
Cerminara faced Jennifer Maia on November 2, 2019, at UFC 244.[33] At the weigh-ins, Maia weighted at 127.2 pounds, 1.2 pounds over the flyweight non-title fight limit of 126. The bout proceed at catchweight and Maia was fined 25% of her purse and went to Chookagian.[34] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[35]
Cerminara faced Valentina Shevchenko for the UFC Flyweight Champion on February 8, 2020, at UFC 247.[36] She lost the bout via technical knockout in round three.[37]
Cerminara faced Antonina Shevchenko May 30, 2020 at .[38] After dominating Shevchenko on the ground throughout the bout, Chookagian won the fight via unanimous decision.[39]
Cerminara faced Jéssica Andrade on October 18, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 180.[40] She lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.[41]
Cerminara faced Cynthia Calvillo on November 21, 2020, at UFC 255.[42] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[43]
Cerminara faced Viviane Araújo on May 15, 2021, at UFC 262.[44] She won the bout via unanimous decision.[45]
Cerminara faced Jennifer Maia on January 15, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 32.[46] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[47] Despite winning three fights in a row, it was reported on January 16 that the bout with Jennifer Maia was the last fight on her contract. In a post-fight interview, Cerminara claimed that the UFC declined to negotiate a new contract with her prior to the Jennifer Maia bout, making her a free agent.[48]
As the first bout of her new contract, Cerminara faced Amanda Ribas on May 14, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 36.[49] [50] She won the back-and-forth fight by split decision.[51] The win also earned Chookagian her first Fight of the Night bonus award.[52]
Cerminara was scheduled to face Manon Fiorot on September 3, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 209.[53] However, Cerminara withdrew due to unknown reasons in mid June and was replaced by former UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Jéssica Andrade.[54] In turn, Andrade withdrew in mid-July due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Fiorot's original opponent: Cerminara.[55] [56] After Fiorot injured her knee, the bout was eventually shifted to take place at UFC 280 on October 22, 2022.[57] [58] At the weigh-ins, Cerminara weighed in at 127.5 pounds, 1.5 pounds over the flyweight non-title fight limit. Cerminara was fined 20% of her purse, which went to her opponent Fiorot.[59] She lost the fight by unanimous decision.[60]
Cerminara faced Maycee Barber on March 9, 2024, at UFC 299.[61] She lost the bout by unanimous decision.[62]
Personal life
Cerminara took a break from fighting after her final 2022 fight and suffered two miscarriages.[63]
Championships and accomplishments
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Tied (Valentina Shevchenko) for most wins in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (9)[64]
- Second longest total fight time in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (3:15:58)[64]
- Second most significant strikes landed in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (932)[64]
- Third most total strikes landed in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (1205)[64]
- Most fights in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (14)[64]
- Most decision wins in UFC Women's history (11)[65]
- Most unanimous decision wins in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (8)
- Highest decision wins per win percentage in UFC history (11 decision wins / 11 wins: 100%)
- Most decision wins in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (9)[64]
- Most decision bouts in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (11)
- Fight of the Night (One time)
- Cage Fury Fighting Championships
- CFFC Woman’s Flyweight Champion (One time)
- CFFC Woman’s Bantamweight Champion (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
|-|Loss|align=center|18–6|Maycee Barber|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 299||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Miami, Florida, United States||-|Loss|align=center|18–5|Manon Fiorot|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 280||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates||-|Win|align=center|18–4|Amanda Ribas |Decision (split)| | |align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|17–4|Jennifer Maia|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|16–4|Viviane Araújo|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 262 ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Houston, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|15–4|Cynthia Calvillo |Decision (unanimous)|UFC 255||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|14–4|Jéssica Andrade|KO (punches to the body)|||align=center|1|align=center|4:55|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates||-|Win|align=center|14–3|Antonina Shevchenko|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|13–3|Valentina Shevchenko|TKO (elbows and punches)|UFC 247 ||align=center|3|align=center|1:03|Houston, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|13–2|Jennifer Maia|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 244 ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|New York City, New York, United States||-|Win|align=center|12–2|Joanne Calderwood|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 238 ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Chicago, Illinois, United States||-|Loss|align=center|11–2|Jessica Eye|Decision (split)|UFC 231 ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Toronto, Ontario, Canada| |-|Win|align=center|11–1|Alexis Davis|Decision (unanimous)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Calgary, Alberta, Canada||-|Win|align=center|10–1 |Mara Romero Borella|Decision (unanimous)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Charlotte, North Carolina, United States||-|Win|align=center|9–1 |Irene Aldana|Decision (split)|UFC 210||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Buffalo, New York, United States||-|Loss|align=center|8–1 |Liz Carmouche| Decision (split)|UFC 205||align=center| 3|align=center| 5:00|New York City, New York, United States||-| Win| align=center| 8–0| Lauren Murphy| Decision (unanimous)| | | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States| |-| Win| align=center| 7–0| Stephanie Bragayrac| KO (knee)| CFFC 57| | align=center| 1| align=center| 0:45| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States| |-| Win| align=center| 6–0| Isabelly Varela| Decision (unanimous)| CFFC 55| | align=center| 5| align=center| 5:00| Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States| |-| Win| align=center| 5–0| Sijara Eubanks| Decision (unanimous)| CFFC 52| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States| |-| Win| align=center| 4–0| Melinda Fábián| Submission (armbar)| PMMAL Hungarian Fight Championship 9| | align=center| 1| align=center| 4:33| Budapest, Hungary| |-| Win| align=center| 3–0| Linn Wennergren| Decision (unanimous)| PMMAL Hungarian Fight Championship 9| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Budapest, Hungary||- | Win| align=center| 2–0| Brigitte Narcisse| KO (knees)| |WSOF 13| | align=center| 3| align=center| 0:38| Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States| |- | Win| align=center| 1–0| Rebecca Heintzman| Decision (unanimous)| CFFC 37| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States| [66]
Notes and References
- CjRJnMPL25s. BLACK BELT (...). blondefighter. October 3, 2022. October 23, 2022.
- Web site: Mixed martial arts fighters dream of Madison Square Garden bouts. Kirstan. Conley. Amber. Sutherl. 24 March 2015. 28 March 2017.
- Web site: UFC Rankings UFC.com . 2024-04-02 . www.ufc.com.
- Web site: 5 Things You Might Not Know About Katlyn Chookagian. May 14, 2021. Sherdog. Brian Knapp.
- Web site: Katlyn Chookagian ("Blonde Fighter") | MMA Fighter Page. Tapology.
- Web site: Katlyn Chookagian on Twitter. 13 April 2017.
- Web site: Log in or sign up to view. www.facebook.com.
- https://www.nj.com/hudson/2016/09/mma_fighter_and_hoboken_bartender_chasing_title_dr.html Hoboken bartender Katlyn Chookagian chasing her UFC title dreams
- Web site: Top woman amateur martial arts fighter training in Kenilworth to go pro. 25 March 2014. 28 March 2017.
- Web site: Katlyn Chookagian: Undefeated and On Her Way Up. Aaron. Robbins. 27 September 2014. 28 March 2017.
- Web site: Katlyn Chookagian UFC. UFC.com. 14 September 2018 . June 6, 2021.
- Web site: MyMMANews . Chookagian, Heintzman put perfect records on line at CFFC 37 . mymmanews.com . 27 June 2014 . 19 February 2022.
- Web site: CFFC 37 Results: Azunna Anyanwu Unleashes Zu 2.0, Defends Title by Knockout. July 1, 2014. mmaweekly.com.
- Web site: Marlon Moraes vs. Cody Bollinger set as a 5 round, 140 pound non-title bout at WSOF 13. September 5, 2014. themmareport.com. Jason Floyd.
- Web site: Williams . Chris . A Night to Remember for Katlyn Chookagian . mmasucka.com . 14 September 2014 . 17 April 2021.
- Web site: O'Leary . Ryan . Linn Wennergren Loses Decision in 'Confusing' Bout . mmaviking.com . 10 May 2015 . 17 April 2021.
- Web site: Chookagian dominates Varela late in CFFC's first women's title fight. DAVID WEINBERG Staff. Writer. 28 March 2017.
- Web site: A Night to Remember for Katlyn Chookagian. Chris. Williams. 14 September 2014. 28 March 2017.
- Web site: Lauren Murphy vs. Katlyn Chookagian added to UFC Fight Night 91 in Sioux Falls. 2016-07-02. MMAjunkie. en. 2018-12-20.
- Web site: UFC Fight Night 91 results: Katlyn Chookagian outworks Lauren Murphy for decision win. 2016-07-14. MMAjunkie. en. 2018-12-20.
- Web site: UFC 205 results: Liz Carmouche tops Katlyn Chookagian by split call in historic New York City opener. 13 November 2016. 28 March 2017.
- Web site: UFC 205 results: Liz Carmouche tops Katlyn Chookagian by split call in historic New York City opener. 2016-11-13. MMAjunkie. en. 2018-12-19.
- News: Katlyn Chookagian VS Irene Aldana set for UFC 210 - WMMA Rankings. 2017-01-27. WMMA Rankings. 2018-01-28. en-US. 2017-02-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20170203072448/http://wmmarankings.com/katlyn-chookagian-vs-irene-aldana-set-ufc-210/. dead.
- News: UFC 210 results: Katlyn Chookagian outpoints Irene Aldana for narrow split-decision win. 2017-04-08. MMAjunkie. 2018-01-28. en-US.
- News: Katlyn Chookagian vs Mara Romero Borella - COMBAT LEGEND. 2018-01-24. COMBAT LEGEND. 2018-01-28. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20180128074742/https://www.combatlegend.com/katlyn-chookagian-vs-mara-romero-borella/. 2018-01-28. dead.
- News: UFC on FOX 27 results: Katlyn Chookagian outworks Mara Romero Borella for decision. 2018-01-28. MMAjunkie. 2018-01-28. en-US.
- News: UFC on FOX 30 official for Calgary, eight fights added to lineup. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2018-04-27. 2018-04-27.
- News: UFC on FOX 30 results: Katlyn Chookagian takes decision from Alexis Davis in standup battle. 2018-07-28. MMAjunkie. 2018-07-29. en-US.
- News: Katlyn Chookagian vs. Jessica Eye Expected at UFC 231 in Toronto MMAnytt.com. 2018-10-12. MMAnytt.com. 2018-10-17. en-US.
- Web site: Jessica Eye Edges Out Katlyn Chookagian by Split Decision, Calls for Next Title Shot. 2018-12-09. MMAWeekly.com. en-US. 2018-12-09.
- Web site: Katlyn Chookagian vs. Joanne Calderwood set for UFC 238. MMAWeekly.com. Damon Martin. 2018-03-11. 2019-03-11.
- Web site: UFC 238 early prelims results: Chookagian, Xiaonan earn tough wins; Wineland scores KO. 2019-06-09. MMA Junkie. en. 2019-06-09.
- Web site: Katlyn Chookagian vs. Jennifer Maia added to UFC 244 in New York. Farah Hannoun. 2019-08-14. mmajunkie.com. 2019-08-14.
- Web site: UFC 244 Weigh-in Results: Main Event Set; Jennifer Maia Misses Weight. Cole Shelton. sehrdog.com. 2019-11-02.
- Web site: UFC 244 Results: Katlyn Chookagian Decisions Jennifer Maia, Wants Title Shot. Anderson. Jay. 2019-11-02. Cageside Press. en-US. 2019-11-03.
- Web site: Valentina Shevchenko puts title at stake against Katlyn Chookagian during UFC 247 in Houston. Staff. 21 November 2019. mmadna.com. 2019-11-22.
- Web site: UFC 247 Results: Valentina Shevchenko Dominates Katlyn Chookagian. Evanoff. Josh. 2020-02-09. Cageside Press. en-US. 2020-02-09.
- Web site: Katlyn Chookagian vs. Antonina Shevchenko added to UFC's May 30 event. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Mike Bohn. 2020-05-21. 2020-05-21.
- Web site: UFC Vegas Results: Katlyn Chookagian Dominates Antonina Shevchenko. Evanof. 30 May 2020.
- Web site: UFC targets Jessica Andrade vs. Katlyn Chookagian for Oct. 17. mmajunkie.com. Nolan King and John Morgan. 2020-08-29. 2020-08-31.
- Web site: Anderson. Jay. 2020-10-17. UFC Fight Island 6 Results: Jessica Andrade Stops Katlyn Chookagian With Body Shots. 2020-10-18. Cageside Press. en-US.
- Web site: Jamal Boussenaf. 2020-11-02. Katlyn Chookagian treft Cynthia Calvillo tijdens UFC 255. 2022-08-12. MMA DNA. nl.
- Web site: Anderson. Jay. 2020-11-21. UFC 255 Results: Smart Game Plans Pushes Katlyn Chookagian Past Cynthia Calvillo. 2020-11-22. Cageside Press. en-US.
- Web site: King. Nolan. 2021-02-17. UFC adds Katlyn Chookagian vs. Viviane Araujo to May 15 event. 2021-02-17. MMA Junkie. en.
- Web site: Anderson. Jay. 2021-05-15. UFC 262 Results: Katlyn Chookagian Outworks Viviane Araújo. 2021-05-16. Cageside Press. en-US.
- Web site: Marcel Dorff. 2021-10-19. Katlyn Chookagian vs. Jennifer Maia rematch op 15 januari in de Flyweight divisie. 2022-08-12. MMA DNA. nl.
- Web site: Evanoff. Josh. 2022-01-15. UFC Vegas 46: Katlyn Chookagian Outpoints Tough Jennifer Maia. 2022-01-16. Cageside Press. en-US.
- Web site: Katlyn Chookagian hits free agency after revealing UFC declined to offer new contract before latest win. MMAFighting.com. January 16, 2022. Damon Martin. January 16, 2022.
- Web site: King . Kristen . 2022-03-19 . Amanda Ribas moves up to flyweight, meets Katlyn Chookagian at UFC Fight Night in May . 2022-03-26 . Bloody Elbow . en.
- Web site: Katlyn Chookagian re-signs with UFC, meets Amanda Ribas at May 14 event. April 1, 2022. MMAjunkie.com. Farah Hannoun.
- Web site: Doherty. Dan. 2022-05-14 . UFC Vegas 54: Katlyn Chookagian Defeats Amanda Ribas Behind Jab. 2022-05-15. Cageside Press. en-US.
- Web site: UFC Vegas 54 bonuses: Manuel Torres leads $50K winners with debut knockout. mmamania.com. Dan Hiergesell. 2022-05-15. 2022-05-15.
- Web site: Sherdog.com . Katlyn Chookagian vs. Manon Fiorot Women's Flyweight Bout Added to UFC Paris . 2022-05-27 . Sherdog . en.
- Web site: Daniel Cunningham . 2022-06-15 . Katlyn Chookagian out, Jessica Andrade in to face Manon Fiorot at UFC Paris . 2022-06-15 . empiresportsmedia.com.
- Web site: UFC Paris: Andrade withdrew, it should be Chookagian for Manon Fiorot. rmcsport.bfmtv.com. Alexandre Herbinet. 2022-07-16. 2022-07-17.
- Web site: With Jessica Andrade out, Katlyn Chookagian back in to face Manon Fiorot at UFC Paris. mmafighting.com. Mike Heck. 2022-07-17. 2022-07-17.
- Web site: Katlyn Chookagian vs. Manon Fiorot shifts to UFC 280. July 26, 2022. mmafighting.com. Mike Heck.
- Web site: Manon Fiorot vs. Katlyn Chookagian Moved to UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi. July 26, 2022. Sherdog. Tudor Leonte.
- Web site: UFC 280 weigh-in results: Charles Oliveira, Aljamain Sterling on point for championship bouts, Katlyn Chookagian misses. mmafighting.com. Alexander K. Lee. 2022-10-21. 2022-10-21.
- Web site: King . Nolan . 2022-10-22 . UFC 280 results: Manon Fiorot outpoints Katlyn Chookagian to sweep scorecards . 2022-10-22 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
- Web site: 2023-12-07 . UFC 299 adds Maycee Barber vs. Katlyn Chookagian . 2023-12-07 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
- Web site: Dewar . Val . 2024-03-10 . Maycee Barber Notches Biggest Career Win Over Cerminara . 2024-03-10 . Cageside Press . en-US.
- Web site: 2024-03-07 . Katlyn Cerminara opens up about fertility treatments, miscarriages, and how UFC 299 serves greater purpose . 2024-03-07 . Yahoo Sports . en-CA.
- Web site: UFC Women's Flyweight - Stats. May 7, 2022. UFC. 2022-05-07.
- Book: Glenday, Craig. guinnessworldrecords.com . October 15, 2023. Guinness World Records 2024. London . Guinness World Records . 239 . 9781913484422.
- Web site: Katlyn. Sherdog.com. Sherdog. 2019-11-03.