Even though Alex Caceres broke his forearm in the inaugural round, he valiantly fought to the final bell against Giga Chikadze in Saturday’s UFC Singapore match-up.
The seasoned featherweight, who was handed a unanimous loss, shared an x-ray snapshot that laid bare the extent of his injury, which occurred in the first round. This was originally brought to public attention by sports journalist Ariel Helwani on Saturday.
“Tonight just wasn’t in my favor,” Caceres declared on Instagram. “Blocked a high kick with my forearm in the first, and still gave it my all to grab the W despite the excruciating agony. Kudos to Giga Chikadze for a standout performance.”
Caceres went on to post an x-ray image that clearly depicted his forearm bone in a fractured state.
In a display of sportsmanship, Chikadze commended Caceres’ endeavor by saying, “You’re a true gladiator! Wishing you a speedy recovery and divine blessings.” He also shared a hospital photo of both combatants, who were getting medical attention post-bout.
The event marked Chikadze’s re-emergence in the octagon after an 18-month hiatus, and he wasted no time reverting to his classic, aggressive form. He overwhelmed Caceres with a relentless onslaught of striking combinations throughout the three-round contest.
Known for his kicking prowess, Chikadze unleashed his signature moves early in the fight, which evidently contributed to Caceres’ round-one injury.
Nevertheless, Caceres displayed his grit, enduring a full 15-minute bout. Unfortunately, the judges’ scorecards weren’t in his favor. This loss snapped his recent two-fight winning streak, featuring victories over Daniel Pineda and Julian Erosa.
As for how long Caceres will be sidelined due to his broken forearm, it remains a question mark. Paige VanZant, a former UFC fighter, underwent surgery for a comparable injury, leaving many to wonder what Caceres’ recovery path will entail.
Meanwhile, Chikadze celebrated a win, bouncing back from a previous loss to Calvin Kattar. This victory marks his comeback, erasing his sole defeat since becoming a part of the UFC stable.
