Giga Chikadze

Two years ago, Giga Chikadze was a relatively unknown commodity in the mixed martial arts world. Coming from a karate background and competing at the highest levels of kickboxing, the Georgian (the country, not the state) featherweight squeaked by Brandon Davis to win his UFC debut by split decision and was preparing to battle Jamall Emmers (which he would also win by split decision). But after seven straight UFC victories (including consecutive “Performance of the Night” awards for his three recent knockouts) and a vicious body kick that has crumpled multiple opponents, Chikadze has spent his pandemic years vaulting to the top of the UFC’s featherweight division. Fresh off his first main event — where he stopped veteran striker and perennial contender Edson Barboza in the third round — th...