Giga Chikadze believes he can cement himself as the next title contender at featherweight.
Chikadze is set to headline UFC Vegas 46 against Kattar in a very intriguing matchup. The winner will take a step up the rankings and could get the next title shot. Chikadze has already called for it after Max Holloway was forced out of the bout, but he admits he has to focus on Kattar.
“The first thing, I was talking to myself: ‘Giga, chill. You have business to handle – a very tough fight,’” Chikadze told MMA Junkie. “I feel like it’s the strongest opponent I’ve ever faced. I’m taking this very serious.
“But everybody’s dream is to fight for a title, right? I saw the news and I started to get more excited, but I was calming myself down: ‘You have things to do. Don’t get too excited,” Chikadze continued. “They might get someone else.’ I don’t have to be too frustrated with anything, and I don’t have to get too excited, either. … The chance, I know it will come. If it’s going to be sooner rather than later, I’ll take it.”
According to Chikadze, he already had a run-in with Dana White at the UFC P.I. and after the conversation, he knows he is close to fighting for the belt.
Giga Chikadze Believes Win Over Calvin Kattar Earns Him A Title Shot
“I even had a quick chat with Dana since I was at the P.I.,” Chikadze said. “We had some interactions there. He said, ‘You’re right there. Handle your business and then we’ll talk after.’ (I have) even more motivation from that, I guess.”
Ultimately, Giga Chikadze knows his fighting will do all the talking and if he knocks out Calvin Kattar on Saturday, that proves he deserves a crack at the belt.
“I just want to warn everybody that I have a fight this weekend. I’ll be knocking out people that no one would believe I was going to knock them out – in a minute, in a striking way, in this, in that. I just want them to open their eyes and watch this weekend very well, and after this make a decision. I’m just concentrating to perform the best I’ve ever been.”
