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Gets 180-day medical suspension
Chikadze has been given a six-month medical suspension following his win over Irwin Rivera via unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night in Jacksonville, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Chikadze entered Saturday's event as a massive favorite against a last-minute replacement opponent, and he didn't disappoint. An egregious six-inch height advantage allowed Chikadze to convincingly log his fifth straight victory, though he'll now need to take a six-month hiatus unless he can gain clearance by a physician early.
Chikadze entered Saturday's event as a massive favorite against a last-minute replacement opponent, and he didn't disappoint. An egregious six-inch height advantage allowed Chikadze to convincingly log his fifth straight victory, though he'll now need to take a six-month hiatus unless he can gain clearance by a physician early.
Easy win as massive favorite
Chikadze defeated Irwin Rivera via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-27) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Jacksonville.
ANALYSIS
Originally scheduled to face Mike Davis, Chikadze had no issues with his late-minute replacement opponent. Armed with a massive six-inch height edge, Chikadze went about picking Rivera apart on the feet. He threw plenty of kicks and connected on all sorts of difficult combinations. A traditional kickboxer, Chikadze is very much in the mold of fighters such as Israel Adesanya and Stephen Thompson. He's very tall (6-0) for the division and knows how to use that size and length edge to his advantage. A winner of five in a row, Chikadze has a boatload of long-term potential.
Originally scheduled to face Mike Davis, Chikadze had no issues with his late-minute replacement opponent. Armed with a massive six-inch height edge, Chikadze went about picking Rivera apart on the feet. He threw plenty of kicks and connected on all sorts of difficult combinations. A traditional kickboxer, Chikadze is very much in the mold of fighters such as Israel Adesanya and Stephen Thompson. He's very tall (6-0) for the division and knows how to use that size and length edge to his advantage. A winner of five in a row, Chikadze has a boatload of long-term potential.
Gets new opponent in Rivera
Chikadze will fight Irwin Rivera in a featherweight matchup at UFC Fight Night on May 16 in Jacksonville, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Chikadze's initial opponent, Mike Davis, withdrew from Saturday's tilt due to complications dropping weight, and the UFC has successfully found a replacement opponent on short notice. Rivera, the reigning Titan FC bantamweight champion, will make his UFC debut in Jacksonville. Chikadze, in turn, will look to add to his four-fight winning streak.
Chikadze's initial opponent, Mike Davis, withdrew from Saturday's tilt due to complications dropping weight, and the UFC has successfully found a replacement opponent on short notice. Rivera, the reigning Titan FC bantamweight champion, will make his UFC debut in Jacksonville. Chikadze, in turn, will look to add to his four-fight winning streak.
Needs new opponent for Saturday
Chikadze needs a new opponent for UFC Fight Night on May 16 in Jacksonville with Mike Davis having to withdraw due to complications cutting weight, Aaron Bronsteter of TSN.ca reports.
ANALYSIS
Chikadze's initial match against Davis, which was scheduled for February, didn't materialize due to his opponent's groin injury, and the two combatants will now once again need to re-book if they still desire a fight. Finding a replacement opponent for Chikadze on Saturday may prove more difficult for the UFC to accomplish during a global pandemic, making his status for the Jacksonville event somewhat uncertain.
Chikadze's initial match against Davis, which was scheduled for February, didn't materialize due to his opponent's groin injury, and the two combatants will now once again need to re-book if they still desire a fight. Finding a replacement opponent for Chikadze on Saturday may prove more difficult for the UFC to accomplish during a global pandemic, making his status for the Jacksonville event somewhat uncertain.
Draws Mike Davis on May 16
Chikadze will take on Mike Davis in a featherweight matchup at a UFC Fight Night event on May 16 in Jacksonville, Raphael Marinho of Combate reports.
ANALYSIS
Chikadze is now 2-0 in the UFC after picking up a pair of split-decision wins, and draws an opponent in Davis who is coming off a win himself. Though a short sample size, Chikadze has been known as a fast fighter that tends to fade a bit in the final rounds. He'll hold a two-inch reach advantage over Davis, who racked up 139 significant strikes in his last fight before getting the third-round finish.
Chikadze is now 2-0 in the UFC after picking up a pair of split-decision wins, and draws an opponent in Davis who is coming off a win himself. Though a short sample size, Chikadze has been known as a fast fighter that tends to fade a bit in the final rounds. He'll hold a two-inch reach advantage over Davis, who racked up 139 significant strikes in his last fight before getting the third-round finish.