KATTAR vs CHIKADZE

CALVIN KATTAR vs GIGA CHIKADZE

The UFC is starting off 2022 in a very similar way to 2021, with a Calvin Kattar main event. The last time was in Abu Dhabi against current number 1 contender of the Featherweight division, Max Holloway. The Blessed Express had his way with an overwhelming barrage of pressure striking. Kattar was able to withstand the storm and make it to a decision, but the damage taken has kept him out since.

His return comes with similarities as he is facing another elite striker in Giga Chikadze. The styles are slightly different as Giga will bring more kicks and less pressure. He likes to dance on the outside and pick his opponents apart. Kattar’s primary boxing style will require him to push the pace and get inside if he wants to find success. A lesson he may be able to learn from Max Holloway. Don’t let his last performance fool you, Kattar is an absolute dawg with the skills to match. He has a ton of quality wins on his record with names like Shane Burgos, Jeremy Stephens and Dan Ige to name a few. After a year off, expect him to come out hungry and ready to shock the world. A world that has largely written him off after not seeing him since last January.

His counterpart will be Giga Chikadze, the electric Georgian kickboxer. A real life Ninja as his nickname suggests. Chikadze will enter the octagon as a favorite, but how much is left to be seen? His line has been swelling recently and doesn’t look to be slowing down soon. The reason for that being Giga’s recent performances. He has seemed to be making vast improvements between fights and that’s led to some dominant showings. Most recently KOing Edson Barboza with punches and Cub Swanson with his legendary Giga kick. The signature move is a switch kick to his opponent's liver. A brutal technique that could be the difference against Kattar’s boxer heavy style in this one.

The stakes have recently been raised for this fight, as Max Holloway just pulled out of his title bout in March. That means a winner that receives little damage could find themselves filling in against Alexander Volkanovksi a short 7 weeks later. How do I see this playing out? I think it will be close early as both fighters will feel each other out. I anticipate Kattar to test the grappling of Chikadze, an area he could find success as that is definitely the biggest weakness in Giga’s game. Kattar will also have to make this fight dirty, as a clean striking match almost certainly goes in Giga’s favor. I give the Georgian an edge in this one, but do not sleep on the Boston Cartel. If the Giga line keeps inflating, it may be worth it to side with Kattar. Regardless, this fight is an absolute treat for fight fans especially after the recent layoff for the holidays. Let’s get 2022 started with a banger.