After an 18-month absence, Giga Chikadze returned to the UFC octagon in full force, showcasing a superlative striking game against Alex Caceres to mark a triumphant reentry into the winner’s circle at UFC Singapore.
Having suffered a defeat at the hands of Calvin Kattar a year and a half ago, Chikadze initially appeared somewhat rusty. However, he quickly found his groove and relentlessly outstruck Caceres, landing punches at will throughout their exchanges. By the closing moments of the third stanza, Chikadze had thoroughly dissected Caceres, convincing all three judges to award him a unanimous 30-27 victory.
“Being unemployed for 18 months when you’ve got mouths to feed isn’t exactly a picnic,” Chikadze reflected post-fight. “But as you’ve all witnessed, I’ve tweaked my approach, honed various skills, and now I can proudly say the Giga show has returned, folks!”
Renowned for his expertise in kickboxing, Chikadze had somewhat of a sluggish opening, as Caceres initially dictated the fight’s tempo. This included a brilliantly executed spinning backfist from Caceres that nearly caught the Georgian featherweight by surprise.
This particular blow seemed to serve as an alarm bell for Chikadze, who thereafter ramped up his activity. His accuracy was on point, particularly with his straight jabs that consistently found their mark on Caceres. While Caceres managed to fire back, it was clear that Chikadze was dealing the majority of the impactful blows, notably in the latter two rounds.
Chikadze’s skill in predicting Caceres’ unconventional movements and executing precision strikes allowed him to compile a robust performance by the time the final bell rang.
Before his setback to Kattar in 2022, Chikadze was on a tear in the UFC’s featherweight division. Eager to keep his newly reclaimed momentum going, he’s eyeing a coveted slot in the UFC 296 pay-per-view event come December, further fueled by his convincing win over Caceres this past weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Giga Chikadze UFC Singapore Comeback
What event was Giga Chikadze’s comeback fight?
Who was Giga Chikadze’s opponent in his comeback fight?
Giga Chikadze faced off against Alex Caceres in his return to the octagon.
How long was Giga Chikadze absent from fighting before his comeback?
Giga Chikadze was away from the octagon for 18 months prior to his comeback fight against Alex Caceres.
What was the outcome of the fight between Giga Chikadze and Alex Caceres?
Giga Chikadze secured a unanimous 30-27 victory over Alex Caceres, showcasing a striking masterclass throughout the fight.
What challenges did Giga Chikadze face during his time off?
Chikadze mentioned in a post-fight interview that being without a job for 18 months while having a family was a significant challenge.
What was noteworthy about Giga Chikadze’s performance?
Chikadze was initially a bit rusty but quickly found his rhythm. He outstruck Caceres with impressive accuracy, particularly in the latter two rounds.
What are Giga Chikadze’s future plans following this win?
Chikadze has expressed interest in securing a slot at the UFC 296 pay-per-view event in December, aiming to maintain the momentum he built from his win over Caceres.
Was Giga Chikadze well-known for any particular fighting skill before this match?
Yes, Giga Chikadze is renowned for his kickboxing skills, which were prominently displayed in his fight against Alex Caceres.
How did the judges score the fight between Chikadze and Caceres?
All three judges awarded Giga Chikadze a unanimous 30-27 victory over Alex Caceres.
What effect did the fight have on Chikadze’s career trajectory?
The fight marks a significant rebound for Chikadze after his loss to Calvin Kattar 18 months ago. He is now back on track and eyeing future opportunities in the UFC’s featherweight division.
More about Giga Chikadze UFC Singapore Comeback
- UFC Singapore Official Results
- Giga Chikadze’s Fighter Profile
- Alex Caceres’ Fighter Profile
- Highlights of the Giga Chikadze vs Alex Caceres fight
- Interview: Giga Chikadze Post-Fight Thoughts
- Calvin Kattar vs Giga Chikadze: The Fight That Led to the Hiatus
- UFC 296 Event Details
- UFC Featherweight Rankings
10 comments
Finally, the Giga show is back on the road! Been waiting 4ever for this. can’t wait to see who he fights next.
Good to see him bounce back after that loss to Kattar. Takes guts to comeback strong, much respect.
Man, what a comeback for Giga! This guy’s striking is out of this world. Caceres didn’t know what hit him lol.
yo those jabs were fire. Caceres was in a whole diff league. No match!
Three 30-27’s from the judges? No contest, man. Giga owned that octagon.
Giga calling out for a spot on UFC 296? That’s the spirit! He better be there, i wanna see more of this guy.
18 months off and he comes back like this? Unreal. Shows what you can do with time off if u put in the work.
Wait, did Giga really say “the Giga show is back motherf******”? Haha, that’s a bold statement but he backed it up.
i was there at UFC Singapore, the atmosphere was electric. When Giga started landing those punches, the crowd went wild.
Watched the fight closely. Giga’s ability to adapt and find his rhythm was the key to his win. Exceptional fight IQ.