Former Invicta FC Bantamweight Champion Lauren Murphy seeks her second straight UFC victory on July 13th at UFC Fight Night 91 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Murphy is expected to face two-division Cage Fury Fighting Championships titleholder Katlyn Chookagian on the card.
Combat Press first reported on plans for the matchup on Monday. Murphy rebounded from a pair of controversial decision losses by stopping Kelly Faszholz at UFC Fight Night 83 in February. Chookagian, who is one of the fastest rising stars in North America, captured two CFFC titles this year.
Murphy (9-2-0) became Invicta FC Bantamweight Champion in late 2013, but she was promptly signed by the UFC before she could defend her new title. In her Octagon debut, Murphy dropped a disputed Split Decision to Sara McMann at UFC Fight Night 47, and her next fight ended in equally heartbreaking fashion. At UFC Fight Night 63, Murphy came out on the wrong end of a Unanimous Decision against Liz “Girl-Rilla” Carmouche in a bout that many felt that Murphy had won. She secured her first UFC victory in February by stopping newcomer Faszholz with five seconds remaining in round three.
Chookagian (7-0-0) has been highly touted as a future star dating back to her 7-0 amateur career, which included a notable submission win over Andrea “KGB” Lee. After turning pro in June 2014, Chookagian became a staple of CFFC cards. She was crowned as the promotion’s first female flyweight champ in January with a dominant five-round Unanimous Decision victory over the previously undefeated Isabelly Varela. In March, Chookagian knocked out Stephanie “La Torita” Bragayrac in just 45 seconds to earn a second CFFC women’s title at 130 pounds, and she now makes her UFC debut in two weeks.
UFC Fight Night 91 is set for July 13th at Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The event also features a previously announced women’s strawweight bout between Cortney “Cast Iron” Casey and Cristina “Barbie” Stanciu.
(Photo Credit: UFC)