Giga Chikadze wants Brian Ortega next, says UFC likes the fight

Giga Chikadze says the UFC is on board for him to fight Brian Ortega next.

Chikadze (14-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC) hasn’t competed since he suffered his first UFC loss to Calvin Kattar in January 2022 – a fight in which he suffered quite a bit of damage in a striking battle.

That damage caused him to withdraw from his scheduled bout against Sodiq Yusuff at UFC Fight Night 210 this past September, but it was the doctors who pulled him from the fight. Being on the sidelines for so long has been frustrating for Chikadze, but he’s now ready to return.

“It’s been definitely a long time for me,” Chikadze told MMA Underground. “And it’s been crazy because you guys know how busy I was in that same amount of time at the beginning of my UFC career. I fought like five fights. It’s been pretty hard for me to stay like that and wait for my chance. Now we’re having some (talk) with the UFC, and they’re giving some good names.”

Chikadze has his eyes on former title challenger Ortega (15-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC), who’s currently recovering from shoulder surgery. According to the Georgian fighter, it’s an idea the UFC likes.

“We talked to the UFC and from the top 10, not too many people are ready to go,” Chikadze said. “Most of them are either injured or have opponents. One of the guys who doesn’t have an opponent – he’s been injured but he’s recovering – is Brian Ortega. UFC said they like this fight and I know that UFC talked to Brian about this fight. I heard that he likes this fight and he has intentions to fight me. So it’s absolutely a great opportunity if he would accept it. … They’re thinking it’s going to be end of July or August.”