Giga Chikadze captured his seventh-straight UFC win last night (Sat., Aug. 28, 2021) at UFC Vegas 35 live on ESPN/ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, when “Ninja” stopped veteran striker Edson Barboza via third-round TKO (punches) in the main event.
Both men landed solid leg kicks in the early going, but it was Chikadze who did a little more damage with his hands. Barboza returned favor in the second with beautiful work to the body and a few piercing calf kicks.
In Round 3, Chikadze came out firing and leveled Barboza with a sharp right hand. Chikadze chased Barboza around the Octagon before scoring a knockdown. That’s when “Ninja” landed heavy ground-and-pound and an anaconda choke attempt that nearly ended the fight. Barboza somehow survived and returned to his feet before Chikadze scored the eventual finish.
Check out the video highlights below courtesy of UFC/ESPN:
@EdsonBarbozaJR making that main event walk for a third time.
[ #UFCVegas35 live now on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/TpJNnuI0nU
— UFC (@ufc) August 29, 2021
Ufff cerca esa rodilla de Giga #UFCVegas35 pic.twitter.com/CVEuOHIkgV
— UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) August 29, 2021
At the end of the first round, @giga_chikadze started to get loose #UFCVegas35 pic.twitter.com/FOBbNSnU2h
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 29, 2021
Investing in the body shots @EdsonBarbozaJR #UFCVegas35 pic.twitter.com/VihNXEOhWJ
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 29, 2021
He smells blood! @giga_chikadze #UFCVegas35 pic.twitter.com/zYVOF15e6K
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 29, 2021
WOW!!! @Giga_Chikadze!!! #UFCVegas35 pic.twitter.com/AUPVdn1nG7
— UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) August 29, 2021
The Blessed is…NEXT for @Giga_Chikadze?#UFCVegas35 pic.twitter.com/sYsI8M8nch
— UFC (@ufc) August 29, 2021
For complete UFC Vegas 35 results and coverage click here.