Chookagian is out for a year due to fertility treatment

UFC fighterKathleen Chookagian opened up about why she hasn't competed over the past year.

"I've actually been undergoing fertility treatments for the past two years. That's why I thought I would quit fighting for a while. But in the last year I've gone through three or four rounds of IVF and I've had two miscarriages. It's been a tough year. But I wanted to take a break from fertility treatments, not only mentally but also physically. Going through infertility is so hard. It's so hard that I decided to take a break. It's not only mentally taxing, but physically taxing as well. The summer after my second miscarriage, I gained weight to 77 pounds because of hormones and everything else. It wasn't easy to get back in shape," said Catlin at a media day held ahead of UFC 299.

Recall, in the framework of UFC 299 Chookagian will hold a bout with Macy Barber.