Giga Chikadze’s Next Fight Should Be Against a Contender

Over the weekend, featherweight prospect Giga Chikadze proved he is one of the scariest fighters in the division by earning a first-round knockout over Cub Swanson. This win sent a statement to all of the other 145-pound fighters in the UFC. Most now agree that Giga Chikadze’s next fight should come against a top contender.

The 145-pound weight class in the UFC is loaded with talent. There are plenty of exciting challenges left for Giga here. Today, we’ll take a close look at some of the most likely options for the Georgian striker.

Let’s get into it!

The UFC’s Featherweight Division Continues to Get Better

Last weekend’s UFC card ended up being a showcase for several fighters. Most of the shine on fight night went to Jiri Prochazka after he earned a second-round knockout over Dominick Reyes. Many believe the Czech fighter is a future champion.

In the co-main event, Giga Chikadze and Cub Swanson competed in a highly-anticipated featherweight clash. The majority of online sports betting sites had Giga listed as the slight favorite in this matchup. Some, however, felt that Cub’s experience and grappling skills would earn him the win.

It ended up taking Giga just over one minute to score a body-kick knockout over his veteran opponent. This win proved that the featherweight division is one of the best in MMA. There are a huge number of exciting fighters at 145 pounds right now.

The champion, Alex Volkanovski, is set to defend his title against Brian Ortega this summer. It’s an excellent clash between two of the most exciting fighters in the weight class. Max Holloway is expected to fight the winner sometime in late 2021.

Over the next few months, many of the top contenders in the division will compete. There is no telling who will hold onto the belt by the time the year ends. It’s a stacked division and one that only the truly elite fighters can succeed in.

Giga Chikadze is certainly making a name for himself at 145 pounds. Here’s a look at who the talented kickboxer may face off against next.

Here’s Who Giga Chikadze’s Next Fight Could Come Against

The UFC’s ranking system may not be perfect. It’s a great way for fans to see which fighters are closing in on the title, though. The featherweight rankings are set and every man in the top-15 here is capable of becoming the champion in the future.

After his win on Saturday, Giga Chikadze is listed as the 14th-ranked featherweight in the UFC. He’s one of the best strikers in the division and is proving to have real finishing skills in his last two bouts. Many are now asking about who Giga Chikadze’s next fight should come against.

Shortly after his win over Swanson, Chikadze called for a fight against the former champion, Max Holloway. This would be a fantastic bout between elite strikers. Holloway is the number-one contender in the division, though, and is unlikely to agree to this bout. Giga also claims that a fight against Calvin Kattar is a real possibility in the future.

“I was in Georgia when Max fought Calvin. I was doing commentary for the fight, and I enjoyed this fight, and every time he was doing something nice I was like, ‘I want to fight him. I want to fight him,’” Giga said. “I feel like after this type of performance, I might get it – if not, then I might get (Kattar).”

Kattar would be a solid option for Chikadze. It’s also unclear if Calvin would agree to fight a man not even in the division’s top-10. A fight against John Emmett, Arnold Allen, or Bryce Mitchell might be better right now.

Giga defeated Swanson early and seems ready to compete again soon. We’ll be sure to offer updates on his possible opponents over the next few weeks.

Volkanovski vs. Ortega is Now Just a Few Months Away

Alex Volkanovski and Brian Ortega were originally expected to compete in the Octagon on March 27. Unfortunately, Alex was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a battle with Covid-19. He had a difficult time with the virus and has been recovering over the past few months.

Volkanovski and Ortega are now coaching on the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter. There seems to be a friendly rivalry between these men. Their bout is now expected to take place sometime this summer.

This is expected to be an extremely even fight. Volkanovski has proven himself to be the only man capable of defeating Max Holloway. Ortega looked better than ever after his victory over Chan Sung Jung in October of 2020.

This is an extremely important fight for the featherweight division. Everyone wants to see how Alex Volkanovski matches up against the submission expert, Ortega. It’s a fun matchup and one that many fans are torn on.

There are some elite fighters working their way toward a title fight in the featherweight division. It’s perhaps the most competitive weight class in the sport. We’ll be sure to offer more updates on the title picture here over the next few months.

Are you excited to see Giga Chikadze’s next fight? Who would you like to see him face off against? Let us know in the comments section below.