The UFC returns to Kansas City after a two-year hiatus, and the fighters are fired up and ready to go. Most have hit their marks on the scale—except for one surprising twist. For the first time in his career, #14-ranked featherweight Giga Chikadze has missed weight, coming in one pound over the limit. The Georgian striker is looking to rebound from his loss to Arnold Allen, but before he even steps into the Octagon, he’s already taken an early L—this time to the scales.
The Georgian compatriot weighed in at 147 pounds at Friday’s official weigh-ins for Saturday night’s event in Kansas City against David Onama, who officially made the perfect weight. Chikadze weighed 1 pound over the actual limit in a non-title fight, which generally includes a one-pound allowance. According to sources, the fight will happen, but now at catchweight. Additionally, Chikadze will have to forfeit 20% of his purse from the fight.
The Georgian is headlining the event, and it’s crucial for the promotion to make this fight happen as the UFC returns to Kansas City after a two-year wait. Well, ‘Ninja’ is eagerly waiting to get back inside the Octagon as he wants to turn back his misfortune within the arena. Chikadze fell short last year when he was defeated by Arnold Allen by way of a unanimous decision despite his best efforts, but this time things are different.
While having a conversation with the UFC, Chikadze contemplated his last fight, “Because every time a fighter loses and they say something, like ‘Oh, that happened. This happened.’ They always come up with some s–t.” When asked about his upcoming performance at UFC Kansas City, ‘Ninja’ reminded everyone that he is not a new guy in this sport and he knows when to deliver, “I’m not a new guy in the UFC. I’ve been here for a while, and I’ve showed a lot of support to them, as well. I feel like, after a great performance, something big is going to come in my career.”
He further added, “The only reason I’m here is to become a champion. I’m not here for money. I’m not here for fame. I promised my kids I’d bring a belt home one day, to my family, my country, Georgia, and they’re expecting that, so I have a responsibility for that.” With a career record of 15 victories and 4 defeats, Chikadze is looking to turn back to the green column, and interestingly, he believes that a victory over Onama might push him to title contention.
David Onama is an investment for Giga Chikadze
Giga Chikadze is looking to bounce back after a hard-fought unanimous decision loss to top-10 contender Arnold Allen at UFC 304 last July. Now set to face a surging featherweight prospect, Chikadze sees this as his moment to remind the division of his striking pedigree—and he’s confident that a statement win will put him right back in the UFC’s good graces. While having a conversation with the media, Chikadze emphasized that Onama is an investment for him, “I feel like that’s an investment for me.”
He further added, “Fight somebody who’s not ranked, so I’m going to expect something after, something big from the UFC. I do something for them, they do something for me. I’m here to become a champion. That’s the only reason I’m in the UFC. I’m not here just to get paid.”
When asked about his opponent, ‘Ninja’ added, “As an opponent, if you ask me, I’m not going to say nice things.In general, yeah he’s a great fighter. He has some knockout skills. I look at him as a good athlete and good, competitive fighter. That’s all I can say at the moment. I can speak about him highly after the fight.”
We are just hours away from the fight, and with Chikadze coming in full force, we might witness a masterclass from him. Given that, what are your predictions?
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