Giga Chikadze Finishes Barboza

UFC Vegas 35: UFC Apex – Las Vegas:

Sometimes fighters are like passing ships in the dark. That might as well be the case at UFC Vegas 35. In the featherweight main event, Giga Chikadze finishes Barboza. And in the bigger picture, might be the beginning of the end for the 35-year old Brazilian.

There was no “feeling out” on this night, as both Giga Chikadze and Edson Barboza cracked each other early with kicks. After referee Jason Herzog jumped in at 1:44 of the third-round to stop the fight, the Georgian took his shot. He said;

“I finished guys who are absolute legends in the sport. (Barboza and Cub Swanson). Honestly, I’m here to fight the best fight, the biggest names, if it’s a title shot, I would love to cover the title shot and be a replacement fighter. If not, somebody Hawaiian who’s leaving the division. (Max Holloway) knows my name. I saw the interviews and somebody asked him and he said like this; ‘oh yeah, I heard of this Giga guy who kicks’. I’m not just a Giga guy. I kick the s*** out of people. Lets go. I have been waiting for this moment.”

Now in the words of Dana White; that may be pulling the horse before the cart. As he’s about to enter into the Top-10 of the division. But he is now on a nine-fight win streak, and has ten finishes, in his 14 wins. So he may need to win another one before getting a crack at the top dogs at 145. Perhaps someone like a Calvin Kattar or Arnold Allen.