Edson Barboza Wants an Exciting Featherweight Fight with Giga Chikadze

Edson BarbozaIt’s sometimes hard to believe that UFC featherweight Edson Barboza is 35 years old and still competing against MMA’s elite fighters, especially after making the move from lightweight to featherweight so late in his career. Regardless, the weight cut has largely paid off, with back-to-back wins entering his upcoming UFC Fight Night main event against […]

Edson Barboza

It’s sometimes hard to believe that UFC featherweight Edson Barboza is 35 years old and still competing against MMA’s elite fighters, especially after making the move from lightweight to featherweight so late in his career.

Regardless, the weight cut has largely paid off, with back-to-back wins entering his upcoming UFC Fight Night main event against Giga Chikadze.

Barboza has competed against some of the best of the best that the UFC has had to offer; including lightweight bouts with Justin Gaethje, Paul Felder, and former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. After his third-round knockout over Shane Burgos at UFC 262, Barboza is climbing the ladder and moving closer to title contention once again.

In a recent interview with LowKickMMA’s James Lynch, Barboza explained his reasoning for making the main focus of his career having exciting fights in the UFC octagon.

“It’s a lot like the fight with Burgos, it’s the type of fight that makes me excited,” Barboza said. “I’m a real fan, and I know it’s going to be a fun fight. It’s a main event, 25 minutes, and it’s the type of fight that makes me say yes right away. I’m sure it’s going to be a great fight.”

“I’m looking for a war. Every time I step in there, I’m ready for war and to throw some bombs.”

Barboza faces Chikadze, a rising contender at 145 pounds who has won eight straight fights including a vicious knockout over Cub Swanson at UFC on ESPN 23.

A win over Chikadze would put Barboza back in the title hunt after an up-and-down run at lightweight. UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will face Brian Ortega at UFC 266 next month, and Barboza has the opportunity to face a top contender in his next bout if he’s able to put on a show-stopping performance against Chikadze.

What is your prediction for Edson Barboza vs. Giga Chikadze?

REPORT | Edson Barboza vs. Giga Chikadze Set For August 28

Edson BarbozaA fun featherweight fight is set as Edson Barboza is reportedly booked to face off against Giga Chikadze on August 28. Brett Okamoto of ESPN took to social media to reveal the match-up is expected to headline next month, he wrote. “Fun one here … Edson Barboza (@EdsonBarbozaJR) vs. Giga Chikadze (@giga_chikadze) will headline UFC […]

Edson Barboza

A fun featherweight fight is set as Edson Barboza is reportedly booked to face off against Giga Chikadze on August 28.

Brett Okamoto of ESPN took to social media to reveal the match-up is expected to headline next month, he wrote.

“Fun one here … Edson Barboza (@EdsonBarbozaJR) vs. Giga Chikadze (@giga_chikadze) will headline UFC Fight Night on Aug. 28, per sources. Glad to see these two get some main event shine. Well deserved. Not to mention, a banger of a fight.”

Barbosa looked sensational last time out as he sensationally stopped Shane Burgos at UFC 262 on May 15. The Brazilian currently holds two wins from three fights at featherweight and can count himself unlucky to have been on the wrong side of a split decision in his divisional debut which came against Dan Ige.

Chikadze is one of the brightest prospects in the 145lb division. In 2020, he picked up four victories inside the Octagon to set himself up for a bumper 2021. Earlier this year, Chikadze picked up the biggest win of his career when he quickly stopped Cub Swanson at UFC Vegas 25. Ever since the Georgian fighter has been calling out even bigger names and it appears he’s finally landed one.

Who do you think will win on August 28? Edson Barboza or Giga Chikadze?

Edson Barboza vs Giga Chikadze To Headline August 28 Fight Night Event

Giga Chikadze’s chase for a high-profile fight in the featherweight division has come to an end. MMA fans have a kickboxing delight on their hands when scintillating strikers Edson Barboza and Giga Chikadze face off in the August 28 Fight Night m…

Giga Chikadze’s chase for a high-profile fight in the featherweight division has come to an end. MMA fans have a kickboxing delight on their hands when scintillating strikers Edson Barboza and Giga Chikadze face off in the August 28 Fight Night main event. News of the pairing was first reported by ESPN Monday evening. #10-ranked […]

Continue Reading Edson Barboza vs Giga Chikadze To Headline August 28 Fight Night Event at MMA News.

Giga Chikadze Open To Fighting Wonderboy At Welterweight

UFC featherweight Giga Chikadze has said that he is open to fighting Stephen Thompson at 170 pounds in the future. Chikadze has been a leading name in the UFC’s recent Georgian invasion, with the likes of Merab Dvalishvili, Roman Dolidze and Ilia…

UFC featherweight Giga Chikadze has said that he is open to fighting Stephen Thompson at 170 pounds in the future. Chikadze has been a leading name in the UFC’s recent Georgian invasion, with the likes of Merab Dvalishvili, Roman Dolidze and Ilia Topuria also making waves in the promotion in recent months. Since making his […]

Continue Reading Giga Chikadze Open To Fighting Wonderboy At Welterweight at MMA News.

Archives: Chikadze Blasts Rodriguez, FW Top 10, & UFC Rankings (2021)

Seven months ago, a frustrated Giga Chikadze vented about Yair Rodriguez, his featherweight peers, and the UFC ranking system. Tonight at UFC Vegas 46, the #8-ranked Chikadze will have the type of opportunities he was fighting for last year when he ta…

Giga Chikadze

Seven months ago, a frustrated Giga Chikadze vented about Yair Rodriguez, his featherweight peers, and the UFC ranking system. Tonight at UFC Vegas 46, the #8-ranked Chikadze will have the type of opportunities he was fighting for last year when he takes on the #5-ranked Calvin Kattar.

The following article is presented in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of the MMA News Archives.

[ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JUNE 25, 2021, 11:00 AM]

Headline: Giga Chikadze Blasts Rodriguez, FW Top 10, & The UFC Rankings System

You could say that Giga Chikadze is just a tiny bit miffed at his UFC featherweight peers.

You could say that, but it would be more accurate to say that he has reached peak frustration at his inability to land an opponent inside the top 10. After winning his eighth consecutive fight at UFC Fight Night: Reyes vs. Procházka, Chikadze was eager to step back inside the Octagon for a high-profile fight.

He offered to jump in for short-notice fights on multiple occasions, as this has been a proven path up the ladder for many UFC fighters in the past, with Kevin Holland perhaps being the best recent example of this. Nevertheless, whether it’s been a short-notice pitch, a public callout, or a proposal submitted through the appropriate channels, Chikadze has remained on the sidelines despite his best efforts.

Failure To Land Yair Rodriguez Fight Sends Chikadze Over The Edge

Most recently, Chikadze tried to step in as a short-notice replacement for the July 17 Fight Night main event against Yair Rodriguez after Rodriguez’s original opponent, Max Holloway, was forced to withdraw from the fight.

Chikadze had already expressed his frustrations when Rodriguez was allegedly nonresponsive to the UFC’s offer, and now that Rodriguez has officially been removed from the card, the Georgian is letting out the rest of his anger through the media since he hasn’t been able to do so in the cage.

“They called me to replace Max, and I was happy to step in,” Chikadze told MMA Fighting. “I don’t know how this guy is gonna stay ranked No. 3 if he don’t agree on the fight cause he hasn’t fought for a long time and look at me. I had like five, six fights in the same time. I don’t know what’s going to happen.

UFC Vegas 13 video: Giga Chikadze blasts Jamey Simmons with devastating  head kick to earn first-round knockout - MMA Fighting
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

“It’s not surprising from (Rodriguez), because he’s been doing this for not only me but for other fighters. With Zabit [Magomedsharipov], he turned him down four times and after USADA violation and the UFC cut his contract, cut him from the UFC. I’m really upset on one thing. This guy is not ranked No. 3 [in the UFC rankings], that’s the only thing. I feel like my name should be higher.”

There is a common argument that has been used against fighters who are in Chikdadze’s current position of a fighter looking to make a significant move up the rankings, which is that they haven’t beaten a big enough opponent to earn a marquee fight. During his diatribe, Chikadze was sure to point out the flaw in this logic.

“Everyone is talking about my opponents, how I beat non-ranked opponents,” Chikadze said. “This and that and Cub Swanson was older age and stuff but how am I going to prove these guys wrong if nobody fights me from the top 10? Who should I fight?

Giga Chikadze
Giga Chikadze

“I’ve been calling out pretty much everybody. Arnold Allen, Edson Barboza, Calvin Kattar, Max, Yair, whoever don’t have a fight, [The Korean Zombie] now, it would be great fights. But nobody really accepted. Now the champion [Alexander Volkanovski] has a fight with Brian Ortega and whoever is available, everybody is not picking up the phone.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov & Kamaru Usman: Unwelcome Company?

Giga Chikadze referenced other fighters who have gone through similar struggles to find big fights while climbing the rankings, notably Khabib Nurmagomedov and Kamaru Usman. Usually, having something in common with these UFC greats would be a high honor, but in this case, it’s a grave annoyance for the #10-ranked featherweight.

Coincidentally, Chikadze shares the same manager as Usman and Nurmagomedov, Ali Abdelaziz. Eventually, Abdelaziz was able to land both eventual champions the fights that got them to the title, so he is definitely a good man to have on your side when faced with a booking crisis.

When it comes to his featherweight peers, however, Chikadze has lost all faith in their commitment to being what he deems to be a true fighter.

“I don’t have an answer how these guys are top-ranked fighters today,” Chikadze said. “Back in the day when a fighter was a real fighter and he was in the ranking, he was going to fight anybody. You would [fight] anybody, quality guys and I’m a quality guy. I’m top 10. I was last year the most busiest guy and I proved to anyone already. I want my main event fight.”

What do you think? Does Giga Chikadze have a legitimate gripe?

Continue Reading Archives: Chikadze Blasts Rodriguez, FW Top 10, & UFC Rankings (2021) at MMA News.

Islam Makhachev vs. Thiago Moises Promoted To July 17 Main Event

The July 17 UFC Fight Night officially has a new main event, with the scheduled bout between Islam Makhachev and Thiago Moises being promoted to the card’s main event. After it was revealed last week that Max Holloway was forced to withdraw from …

The July 17 UFC Fight Night officially has a new main event, with the scheduled bout between Islam Makhachev and Thiago Moises being promoted to the card’s main event. After it was revealed last week that Max Holloway was forced to withdraw from the July 17 UFC Fight Night main event against Yair Rodriguez, Giga […]

Continue Reading Islam Makhachev vs. Thiago Moises Promoted To July 17 Main Event at MMA News.