Number ten-ranked featherweight contender Giga Chikadze continues to make huge waves in the UFC. On Saturday night at UFC Vegas 35, he scored what could be the most significant victory in his career by stopping Edson Barboza via third-round TKO.
Now, Chikadze wants what he feels is owed to him. During his Octagon interview with Paul Felder, the 33-year-old Georgian fighter made his intentions known to matchmaker Sean Shelby, who was sitting cageside. It involves a possible matchup against one of the division’s most dominant champions.
I finished the guys who are absolute legends of the sport. Honestly, I’m here to fight the best fights, biggest names. If it’s a title shot, I would like to be a replacement fighter.
If not, somebody Hawaiian who’s leading the division. He knows my name, I saw an interview where he said ‘I heard this Giga guy who kicks…’
I’m not just a Giga guy, I kick the shit out of people. Let’s go.
The man he’s referring to is, of course, Max Holloway, who is coming off a record-breaking win against Calvin Kattar in January. The UFC is now planning for him to headline the November 13 card against Yair Rodriguez.