Giga Chikadze hopes a victory over Arnold Allen at UFC 304 will function a reminder that he’s a respectable title contender.
Chikadze (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) will try and get again on a successful streak when he enters enemy territory to face Allen (19-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) in a featherweight bout on July 27 at Co-op Stay in Manchester, England.
After opening his UFC profession with seven consecutive victories, Chikadze hit his first octagon street block with a unanimous choice defeat to Calvin Kattar at UFC on ESPN 32 in January 2022. He subsequently had a 20-month layoff that included accidents and struggle cancellations, however then Chikadze returned with pressure in August to outpoint Alex Caceres for a unanimous choice at UFC Combat Evening 225.
That win set him up for the conflict with Allen, who Chikadze regards extremely as an opponent and thinks he can elevate his profession in a big method.
“He’s undoubtedly a really robust opponent,” Chikadze advised MMA Junkie Radio. “Preventing and defeating somebody like that’s undoubtedly, for me, popping out from the final win, I imagine it’s one of many contender fights for the title. For Allen, it’s most likely extra staying in his spot. He’s ranked No. 5 or No. 6 proper now (within the official UFC rankings) and has already had a title eliminator. It’s like two totally different views. I’ve eight wins within the UFC and just one loss. The final struggle was a win, and undoubtedly that is going to place me again to the place I belong in that spot.”
Allen, No. 8 within the newest USA TODAY Sports activities/MMA Junkie featherweight rankings, can be hungry for a win at UFC 304 following back-to-back losses in opposition to Max Holloway and Movsar Evloev. No. 13 Chikadze can have one thing to say about that, although, and as at all times, will attempt to preserve the struggle standing in hopes of a spotlight end.
“He’s a special model of man,” Chikadze mentioned. “He’s at all times robust, nicely rounded fighter. Not dangerous in putting. Not dangerous within the floor, as nicely. He has all of the instruments. … I imagine I’m one of the best striker nonetheless, and I do know what changes I’ve to do within the fights.”
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