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UFC Fight Night to host two pivotal matchups on Saturday

Ortega_vs._The_Korean_Zombie.jpeg

Photo: UFC

UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs. Jung will host two fights with top-ranked contenders in both of their divisions.

The headlining fight between No. 2 Brian Ortega and No. 4 Chan Sun Jung is going to be very important for the shape of the Featherweight division. Jung, also known as the Korean Zombie, has been contending for many years and will be looking to take down Ortega. 

It has been almost a year since he last fought, yet he has still remained a fan favorite. The Korean Zombie has been in the UFC since 2011, and is entering Saturday on a two-fight win streak. Of his eight fights in the Octagon, he has only lost two, and is 3-1 since his resurgence into the sport. 

Ortega has also been a driving force in his division for a long time. Although he has been in the UFC since 2014, he really hasn’t been very active. Ortega has fought eight times from 2014 to 2018, but hasn’t seen the Octagon since losing to Max Holloway at the end of 2018; this was Ortega’s first and only loss in his career. 

This is an important matchup for both, as it will help decide who gets a title shot against Alexander Volkanovski in the future. UFC President Dana White told Sports Illustrated that the winner will be in a very good spot for a title shot. 

“I’m excited it’s finally happening,” White told Sports Illustrated. “Whoever wins this fight, it catapults one of these guys into a shot at the title.” 

Another crucial bout is between No. 1 Flyweight Katlyn Chookagian and. No. 2 Strawweight Jessica Andrade. This is a very interesting fight because it takes place in the Flyweight division, meaning that Andrade is jumping over and to challenge Chookagian. 

Ever since she joined the UFC in 2016, Chookagian has faced some big names and rose through the ranks to become a top-5 fighter. She had her chance at the title against Valentina Shevchenko earlier this year, but she couldn’t manage a victory. Since then, Chookagian added one more win to her record and will stare down Andrade on Saturday night. 

Andrade is a highly respected figure in the MMA, and is making an interesting step by jumping to Flyweight. She has been in the UFC since 2013 and has been very active ever since. So active, in fact, that she has amassed a 20-8 record in her entire MMA career, and is looking to add to another win on Saturday. 

This is an important co-main event as the results will have implications in two weight divisions. 

UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs. Jung has some pivotal matchups that will shape the face of these divisions. 

 

These are the other matchups on the main card: 

Thomas Almeida vs. Jonathan Martinez- Featherweight

Claudio Silva vs. James Krause- Welterweight

Jim Crute vs. Modestas Bukauskas- Light Heavyweight 

 

Where: Fight Island

When: Saturday, Oct. 17. 7:00 PM EST

How to watch: ESPN+

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