Giga Chikadze was ecstatic when he was paired up with a big name in longtime featherweight contender Cub Swanson. However, the elation was nothing compared to the excitement that came when he “Giga-kicked” his way to a first-round finish.
The bout took place May 1 at UFC on ESPN 23 in Las Vegas and served as the co-main event beneath a Jiri Prochazka vs. Dominick Reyes headliner.
The fight only lasted 63 seconds as Chikadze (13-2 MMA, 6-0 UFC) ripped the body of Swanson around the one minute mark of the first round. As tough as they come, Swanson tried to stay standing but his body did not cooperate. Swanson even tried to grab a hold of one of Chikadze’s legs but the Georgian fighter escaped. From there, Chikadze separated from his downed opponent and finished the fight with punches.
The fight set up Chikadze for even another step up the ladder, which will come Saturday when he takes on Edson Barboza (22-9 MMA, 16-9 UFC) at UFC on ESPN 30. The event takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on ESPN/ESPN+ after prelims on ESPN+.
Chikadze, 33, will seek his ninth win in a row – a streak that dates back to before his UFC debut. A former standout kickboxer, Chikadze could also add the ninth knockout and/or 10th finish of his professional MMA career.
Ahead of Chikadze’s first UFC headliner, relive his biggest win to date in the full fight video above.
UFC on ESPN 30 free fight: Giga Chikadze TKOs Cub Swanson with ‘The Giga Kick’ in 63 seconds
