UFC is set to return to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada with the main event featuring a featherweight bout between Edson Barboza and Giga Chikadaze.
The featherweight showdown between Edson Barboza and Giga Chikadze is a match made in heaven as both fighters are deadly when it comes to striking. Over the years, both these fighters have proven to be quick and diverse when they are on their feet and have proved it time and again that any fighter standing against them has a risk of getting knocked out in spectacular fashion.
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Edson Barboza Jr. who holds a record of 22 wins and 9 losses has had some poor defeats during his time in the lightweight division but the Brazilian is slowly starting to find himself since moving up to fight in the Featherweight division. His journey in the division started with a loss via unanimous decision against Dan Ige back in May 2020, but he bounced back with two fantastic performances over Makwan Amirkhani and Shane Burgos which he won via decision and KO respectively. Currently, he is #9 in the featherweight division and a win would safely take him into the top 5 in the world at least.
As for his opponent Giga “Ninja” Chikadze, he holds a record of 13 wins and just two losses (6-0 in UFC) and finds himself right behind Barboza in the Featherweight division rankings. The fighter from Georgia has been in top form in recent fights. In his last three fights in the division, Chikazde has defeated Omar Morales via unanimous decision and then went on to defeat Jamey Simmons and Cub Swanson, both via first round knockout which earned him back-to-back performance of the night awards. With a win against Barboza, he will look to continue his form and further climb up the rankings of the division.
PREDICTION: EDSON BARBOZA TO WIN VIA KO/TKO
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It’s hard to predict this fight as both the fighters are all out strikers but one thing is for sure, that we are going to witness a striking masterclass at UFC Fight Night. Given the lightning-fast and devastating kicks of both the fighters, it is hard to imagine this fight going the distance. So, our pick for the fight would be – Edson Barboza to win via Knockout. Barboza has the ability to spread out his leg kicks to both the calf and the thigh which we have seen over the years. Knocking Chikadze out with his leg kicks would be extremely difficult but what he could do is slow down his opponent with constant leg kicks and set things up for a finish.
[Image Credit: MMA NOVOSTI HR]
Shashank Iyer