Giga Chikadze is not wasting any time in his pursuit to climb the featherweight rankings.
Chikadze (13-2 MMA, 6-0 UFC) scored a marquee win over perennial featherweight contender Cub Swanson at UFC on ESPN 23 this past month, needing just over a minute to take him out with a brutal body kick.
The Georgian kickboxer has been chomping at the bit to get back to action, even offering to serve as backup for numerous fights. Following his win over Swanson, Chikadze called out Max Holloway and Calvin Kattar (22-5 MMA, 6-3 UFC), claiming that Kattar has been offered to fight him.
“Hey @CalvinKattar when do you wanna fight?! I know you’ve been asked … P.S. I watched your interview saying you feel you ready to go!”
Hey @CalvinKattar when do you wanna fight?! I know you’ve been asked …
P.S. I watched your interview saying you feel you ready to go! @ufc @danawhite @seanshelby @AliAbdelaziz00— GIGA CHIKADZE (@giga_chikadze) May 26, 2021
Chikadze went on to vent his frustration on the lack of top-ranked opponents that are willing to fight him, listing his credentialed striking background, as well as his rapid rise in the UFC.
“6:0 in @ufc, Top10 ranked featherweight, World Champ in Karate and kickboxing multiple times and they still talkin sh*t. Feed me with top guys @danawhite.”
6:0 in @ufc , Top10 ranked featherweight, World Champ in Karate and kickboxing multiple times and they still talkin sh*t. Feed me with top guys @danawhite
— GIGA CHIKADZE (@giga_chikadze) May 27, 2021
“Check this out, I’ve been in @ufc 1,5 year (6:0) and been asking for different opponents since than. All of those “weirdos” ignore me like never heard my name! No one has ever engaged on any social media platform. -Who?! Giga? Oh, I dont know who’s that guy You all know #gigakick”
Kattar last competed in January, when he endured a lopsided unanimous decision to former champion Holloway in the UFC on ABC 1 main event. He showed incredible heart by surviving the onslaught and continued to push forward until the final bell. Kattar took significant damage in the fight and his coach Tyson Chartier advised him to take the necessary time off before returning. So considering Chikadze’s activity and eagerness to compete, their timelines may not fall in line.
Struggling to find an opponent, Giga Chikadze calls out Calvin Kattar: ‘I know you’ve been asked’
