What’s Next For Giga Chikadze?

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returned to action after month off to stage UFC Vegas 46 Saturday night (Jan. 15, 2022) from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Plenty of fighters were left licking their wounds, including Chase Sherman, who was submitted in the very first round by Jake Collier (see it here).

And Dakota Bush, who was knocked out in the very first round by UFC newcomer Viacheslav Borshchev (video highlights). But which fighter is suffering from the worst post-fight hangover, now a few days removed from the show?

Giga Chikadze.

Coming into his headlining five-round fight against Calvin Kattar, Chikadze was on quite a hot streak after racking up nine straight wins, including seven straight inside the Octagon. Another win or two, and “Ninja” could’ve very well put himself in prime position to fight for the Featherweight title.

Instead, the Georgian found himself in a world of hurt against a determined Kattar who bounced back from his previous loss with a vengeance. And it’s not that Giga looked bad, he didn’t, he put it on Kattar, as well. But in the end “The Boston Finisher” was just better, hungrier and a bit more ruthless when it came to his striking.

Once it was all said and done, Chikadze was left battered and bruised and with the first loss of his UFC career. Afterward, Chikadze posted a brief statement on social media and decided to take a shot at Chan Sung Jung — who will fight for the title at UFC 273 — just because “The Korean Zombie” decided to post a facepalm emoji in regards to Giga’s loss.

“Thank you my real supporters!” Chikadze wrote. “I love you all and owe you [a speedy] comeback. Lots of fake people around, but that’s okay. Also, fuck you Korean Zombie, Be happy with someone else’s loss, you cheap fuck.”

It seems Chikadze can’t take the heat but loves to dish it. After all, he did slam Alexander Volkanovski for taking a fight against Jung — who he labeled as the easiest fight available — instead of accepting his challenge.

Nevertheless, Chikadze now finds himself having to start form scratch after his hot streak — which took two years to build — came to an end. But the 33-year old has proven that he is more than up to the task of having to start another.

His aggressive style — which has earned him four straight post-fight bonuses, including a “Fight of the Night” against Kattar — proves that whoever steps into the cage with him has to be ready for a fast-paced and brutal fight.

As far as who he should face next, a fight against Dan Ige sounds appealing. Currently ranked one spot behind Chikadze at No. 8, Ige is in desperate need of a big win after dropping back-to-back losses to the aforementioned Chan Sung Jung and Josh Emmett. Despite his recent woes, Ige is still a tough draw for anyone standing in front of him.

Objections?

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For complete UFC Vegas 46 results and coverage click here.