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Finishes with patented high kick
Chikadze defeated Jamey Simmons via TKO (head kick) at 3:51 of Round 1 at UFC on ESPN+ 40 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Chikadze took a little bit to find his range, but once he did, he looked every bit the part of a (-900) betting favorite. He was facing an opponent with a wrestling-based attack, but did a great job avoiding the takedown even after giving up double underhooks. Once the two did break, Chikadze used a left body kick to lower the guard of Simmons and set up a left high kick. That kick landed flush on the head, sending Simmons to the canvas. Chikadze only needed a few follow-up shots, and the action was ultimately called off. Chikadze is now 4-0 in the UFC in 2020 alone and could potentially get a ranked featherweight opponent his next time out. In the meantime, he'll walk away with a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Chikadze took a little bit to find his range, but once he did, he looked every bit the part of a (-900) betting favorite. He was facing an opponent with a wrestling-based attack, but did a great job avoiding the takedown even after giving up double underhooks. Once the two did break, Chikadze used a left body kick to lower the guard of Simmons and set up a left high kick. That kick landed flush on the head, sending Simmons to the canvas. Chikadze only needed a few follow-up shots, and the action was ultimately called off. Chikadze is now 4-0 in the UFC in 2020 alone and could potentially get a ranked featherweight opponent his next time out. In the meantime, he'll walk away with a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Fighting again in November
Chikadze will face UFC debutant Jamey Simmons on Nov. 7, Marcel Dorff of MMADNA reports.
ANALYSIS
It will be quite a quick turnaround for Chikadze, as he'll get back in the Octagon less than a month after defeating Omar Morales via unanimous decision. He'll be looking to improve his UFC record to 5-0 against a fighter making his UFC debut. Simmons hasn't fought since December but is coming off two straight wins which took an average of just 50 seconds to record.
It will be quite a quick turnaround for Chikadze, as he'll get back in the Octagon less than a month after defeating Omar Morales via unanimous decision. He'll be looking to improve his UFC record to 5-0 against a fighter making his UFC debut. Simmons hasn't fought since December but is coming off two straight wins which took an average of just 50 seconds to record.
Remains unbeaten in UFC
Chikadze defeated Omar Morales via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
Credit Chikadze for handling his business despite entering as a significant +170 underdog. Outside of a couple of brief moments at the end of Round 2, Chikadze controlled the pace of this one throughout the course of the fight. He landed the cleaner, harder strikes in addition to fighting considerably smarter than Morales. It would be nice to see Chikadze stop his opposition once in a while, but you can't argue with the results. The 32-year-old is now a perfect 4-0 in the UFC, with all those victories coming via decision. Expect him to get a bump up in competition his next time out.
Credit Chikadze for handling his business despite entering as a significant +170 underdog. Outside of a couple of brief moments at the end of Round 2, Chikadze controlled the pace of this one throughout the course of the fight. He landed the cleaner, harder strikes in addition to fighting considerably smarter than Morales. It would be nice to see Chikadze stop his opposition once in a while, but you can't argue with the results. The 32-year-old is now a perfect 4-0 in the UFC, with all those victories coming via decision. Expect him to get a bump up in competition his next time out.
Next fight already set
Chikadze (illness) will take on Omar Morales at the UFC event on October 10, C. Contreras Legaspi of laaficion.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Chikadze was just forced to withdraw from his bout last weekend with Alex Caceres due to a positive COVID-19 test. The UFC was able to get him a date for his next fight quickly. He will make his first start since his unanimous decision victory over Irwin Rivera in May.
Chikadze was just forced to withdraw from his bout last weekend with Alex Caceres due to a positive COVID-19 test. The UFC was able to get him a date for his next fight quickly. He will make his first start since his unanimous decision victory over Irwin Rivera in May.
Removal result of positive COVID-19 test
Chikadze was removed from his bout versus Alex Caceres on Saturday due to a positive COVID-19 test, Nolan King of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
The UFC announced earlier this week that Chikadze was out of the fight, but the reason behind it wasn't revealed until now. The unfortunate positive test will presumably keep him out of the Octagon for a little while longer, though he will need to find a new opponent to face.
The UFC announced earlier this week that Chikadze was out of the fight, but the reason behind it wasn't revealed until now. The unfortunate positive test will presumably keep him out of the Octagon for a little while longer, though he will need to find a new opponent to face.