UFC Vegas 35: Edson Barboza vs. Giga Chikadze Preview

 

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has a jam-packed schedule and this Saturday we are getting what should be a very entertaining featherweight fight between Edson Barboza and Giga Chikadze.

Edson Barboza is one of the most dangerous kickers in the UFC. Barboza had his first fight in the promotion in 2010 and his lethal kicking offense helped him earn respect from fellow fighters and fans alike. Significant wins over Paul Felder, Anthony Pettis, Gilbert Melendez, Beneil Dariush and Dan Hooker are part of an impressive resume.

Barboza was riding a three-fight losing streak but there was never cause for concern, as the setbacks came via split decisions and against a force in Justin Gaethje and he then got back on track by winning a unanimous decision against Makwan Amirkhani at UFC Fight Night 179 on October 10th and in his last fight he stopped Shane Burgos in the third round at UFC 262 on May 15th.

 

Born: January 21st, 1986

Age: 35

Country: Brazil

Height: 5’11″

Weight: 145 lbs

Reach: 75″

Stance: Orthodox

Association: American Top Team

Class: Featherweight

Record: 22-9

 

A former Glory kickboxer, K1 world champion and European Muay Thai champion, Giga Chikadze transitioned his striking skills into MMA, taking the UFC featherweight division by storm in the process. He was 38-6 in kickboxing from 2008-2017 and he’s 6-0 since debuting in the UFC in 2019, including first round TKOs against Jamey Simmons and Cub Swanson in his last two fights.

Giga Chikadze remained active throughout 2020 and this will be his second walk to the octagon this year. Chikadze’s love for striking began with Goju-Ryu Karate (he has a third-degree black belt in the discipline) and the clash with Barboza’s Muay Thai striking background guarantees a striking clinic on Saturday.

 

Born: August 25th, 1988

Age: 32

Country: Georgia

Height: 6’0″

Weight: 145 lbs

Reach: 74″

Stance: Orthodox

Association: Kings MMA

Class: Featherweight

Record: 13-2