Ranked fifth in UFC featherweight rankings, Calvin Kattar has been known to face some of the toughest fighters in the division. After his fight with Max Holloway, he headed into UFC Vegas 46 on January 15 to take on the rising Giga Chikadze, which placed eighth.
For Kattar, this fight is an opportunity for redemption. It’s also an opportunity to quell any hype surrounding Chikadze, who has won seven straight fights in the UFC. Kattar believes Chikadze, 33, still has a lot to learn. Kattar was ready to teach him a thing or two.
“Barboza is a good W, man. He (Chikadze) did what he had to do with the guys he was up against,” Kattar said. announced to the UFC. “Credit to him, and now he has the fight he is asking for. He has a lot to prove because he has a lot to say.”
Chikadze turned pro in 2015. Losing to Austin Springer in Dana White’s Contender Series 2018, Chikadze returned to the UFC in 2019. Chikadze’s three most recent wins, including his most recent fight with Edson Barboza in August, ended via TKO. Talk to MMA Junkie, Chikadze believes he is ready for a championship shot with champion Alexander Volkanovski, especially if he beats Kattar.
That is one of the many reasons why Chikadze called him on social media a few months ago. Chikadze also calls himself everyone’s champion, which he needs to support along with his trash talk. This is a fight that could change everything in a featherweight division centered on Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway.
Kattar made her MMA debut in 2007 and joined the UFC in 2017. After losing to Zabit Magomedsharipov in 2019, Kattar won two in a row against Jeremy Stephens and Dan Ige. Against Max Holloway, “Bless” hit 445 hits and defeated Kattar by unanimous decision in January 2021. Kattar has all respect for Holloway, but with the latter getting injured, Kattar focus on winning the title after defeating Chikadze.
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“Winning against Giga puts me back in that race,” Kattar continued. “I really have the foresight to have Rob (Font) holding the title at the same time, and I will continue to work hard to make that happen.”
The FanDuel Sportsbook has Chikadze as a big favorite at -250 vs +198 for Kattar. Kattar being the underdog doesn’t bother him, but it does motivate him to put an end to Chikadze’s momentum for good. Playing spoiler inside the UFC APEX Center will be the cherry at the top.
“I’m not too focused on all the right things to say and push for the fight and all this and that, and I know it’s part of your job that the main event to try to get out and doing some of that, but I’ll let Giga keep digging himself a deeper hole… I’ll get a shovel when it’s time to bury him,” Kattar said.
