Joanne Calderwood had previously claimed that she is the backup fighter for UFC 238, but Katlyn Chookagian tells a different story.
“They told me that, too,” Chookagian said backstage at UFC Fight Night Philadelphia (via Fernanda Prates & Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie). “And I would imagine – I’m ranked 3, she’s 7. So, it kind of makes sense. I just lost a split decision to someone fighting for the title and she just beat a (debutante), so it doesn’t really make sense for her to get that over me. It makes perfect sense, but yeah – I’m sure she wants that. Everyone does. I’m confident I will get it, but I’m not concerned with that. I’m just concerned with my fight. If that happens, we’ll figure it out then. It was the same situation for me in my last fight, when me and Jessica were on. I was also the back-up, so I’ve been there and done that before. I’m not worried about it, we’ll figure it out if it happens. If not, we’ll focus on Joanne.”
There has been no word from the UFC at this time as to who the official backup is going to be for UFC 238.
Chookagian says that she is going to be ready to adjust for any situation that can happen.
“You have to be prepared and able to adjust to any situation and not let it get too emotional about it,” Chookagian said.
UFC 238 takes place on Saturday, June 8 from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois with Henry Cejudo and Marlon Moraes headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
