Giga Chikadze

In the co-main event at UFC Vegas 25, we got to see a fun matchup in the featherweight division. Veteran Cub Swanson (27-11) was looking to pick up his third straight win while Giga Chikadze (12-2) was looking to stay perfect inside the octagon.

It’s been a long but successful career UFC career for Cub Swanson. Swanson has been in there with the best in the world and it’s only been the best guys who have gotten the better of Swanson.

A couple of years ago, it appeared that the end could be near for Swanson in the UFC. He lost four fights in a row and was in desperate need for a win. He took on Kron Gracie and was able to win a decision.

After that win over Gracie, Swanson picked up a TKO of Daniel Pineda at UFC 256 last year. If Swanson could win tonight, it would be massive for him moving forward. However, that was a tall order given who he was facing tonight.

Giga Chikadze has been incredibly impressive since making his octagon debut. He’s won seven fights overall in a row and he’s a perfect 5-0 inside the UFC. Swanson is his toughest test to date, but a win over Cub would really show how good he is.

UFC Vegas 25 Recap

Round 1

The UFC Vegas co-main event started out with two immediate kicks from Chikadze. The kicks seemed to pause the initial pressure from Cub Swanson. A stiff jab lands for Chikadze. Swanson moves forward with the pressure, but Chikadze is looking fast.

A massive body kick lands for Chikadze and Swanson crumbles. Chikadze follows up with a few shots and the referee calls a stop to the action. Massive win for Giga Chikadze who is now 6-0 in the UFC.

Giga Chikadze def. Cub Swanson by TKO – Round 1

In the co-main event of UFC Vegas 25, we are going to see a fun showdown in the featherweight division. Top fifteen contenders battle it out as the veteran Cub Swanson (27-11) takes on Giga Chikadze (12-2).

Cub Swanson has been fighting under the Zuffa banner since 2007. Back in 2007, Swanson made his debut with the WEC and he’s been fighting the best in the world since. If you think of a top guy in the lighter divisions, Swanson’s probably fought him.

From Jose Aldo, Max Holloway, Frankie Edgar, Charles Oliveira, and I can go on and on. A couple of years ago, it looked like Swanson was nearing the end when he found himself on a four-fight losing streak in the UFC.

Granted, all four of those losses were to extremely talented guys. With his back against the ropes, Swanson took on Kron Gracie. He won that fight by decision and then he knocked out Daniel Pineda at UFC 256 showing that he’s not done yet.

Standing across from Swanson tomorrow night is Giga Chikadze. “The Ninja” enters the contest tomorrow night riding a seven-fight win streak. The striking specialist made his octagon debut back in late 2019.

Since that initial UFC debut, Chikadze has gone a perfect 5-0 inside the octagon. Tomorrow night is the biggest fight of his early UFC career and a victory would be massive for him moving forward.

UFC Vegas 25 Prediction

When it comes to the UFC Vegas 25 co-main event, I think a big factor is going to be the striking range and the grappling of Cub Swanson. When it comes to pure boxing, Cub Swanson is extremely hard to beat in the lower weight classes.

However, he’s going to be at an overall striking disadvantage tomorrow night against Chikadze. For Swanson to be successful on the feet, he’s got to keep the fight in close quarters. One big key for Swanson is going to be takedowns tomorrow night.

In my opinion, he’s going to have to get this fight to the ground or he’s going to have to force a lot of clinches. I don’t like his chances if the entire fight he’s striking at distance with a guy like Chikadze.

As you can imagine, the key for Chikadze is keeping the fight at range. Use his fluid striking and constantly circle while never letting Swanson get a beat on him. While I expect Swanson to make this a tough fight, I just like Giga Chikadze in this matchup.

Prediction: Giga Chikadze by Unanimous Decision