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Shevchenko TKOs Chookagian to retain title at UFC 247

Josh Hedges / UFC / Getty

The dominant title reign of "Bullet" continues.

Valentina Shevchenko finished Katlyn Chookagian in the third round of the UFC 247 co-main event on Saturday in Houston to retain the UFC women's flyweight title.

She took Chookagian down early in the third round and got into the crucifix position, which was the beginning of the end for the challenger. Shevchenko attacked Chookagian with ground-and-pound, and Chookagian was unable to defend herself, forcing the referee to intervene at the 1:03 mark of the frame.

Shevchenko proved in the first two rounds why she was the biggest favorite on the card, outclassing Chookagian from start to finish. Shevchenko found her range early in the contest, and Chookagian ultimately failed to do so. The champ battered her foe with punches and leg kicks and landed sharp counter strikes that stunned Chookagian.

The titleholder mixed in a few takedowns, too. No matter where the fight went, it was one-way traffic for the 31-year-old.

Shevchenko has now defended the title three times and is one of the most dominant fighters in the promotion. She's riding a five-fight winning streak; her last defeat was a 2017 bantamweight title fight versus Amanda Nunes.

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