The highly anticipated UFC Fight Night main event had everyone at the Apex Facility excited to see the headliners clash. Edson Barboza vs Giga Chikadze promised to be an all-out war and the bout delivered in a big way. Right as the fighters made their way to the octagon, the MMA community was excited to see violence delivered.
The opportunity he's been waiting for.
🇬🇪 @Giga_Chikadze is under the brightest lights possible in his first UFC main event! #UFCVegas35 pic.twitter.com/iU1fyzNi7o
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) August 29, 2021
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This is a crazy match up 😳
— Dan “50k” Ige (@Dynamitedan808) August 29, 2021
Edson Barboza vs. Giga Chikadze is about to go down at #UFCVegas35. If anyone in your life enjoys humans kicking one another, tell them to tune in.
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) August 29, 2021
Edson Barboza out to "Strong Will Continue" by Nas and Damian Marley #UFCVegas35
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) August 29, 2021
IT’SSSSSS TIMEEEEEE!!! #UFCVegas35
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) August 29, 2021
Chiefly, the bout didn’t have immediate title implications going in, however, many earmarked it to be one of the best scraps of the year. Both men are known to push ahead with relentless pace and refuse to take a step back in striking range. Furthermore, the violent scrap could also be boiled down to its more technical side as they both brought certain strengths to the table.
Edson Barboza cannot stand up to Giga Chikadze
The first round was heavy on kicks as both men tried to figure out a range to fight in. Barboza who has enjoyed being the faster fighter at lightweight has had to warm up to the fact that his fellow 145-pounders are equally fast. Giga Chikadze began to throw a flurry of aggressive strikes towards the end of the round and fans knew they were in for a treat.
Patada al cuerpo bien conectada por Giga #UFCvegas35 pic.twitter.com/3e988QasHw
— UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) August 29, 2021
Giga taking charge
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) August 29, 2021
10-9 Giga after the first
This is going to be a fun one
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) August 29, 2021
As the fight played out, Giga Chikadze continued to display his crippling speed and crisp striking. His Brazilian opponent had very little to offer in terms of effective offensive answers. However, Barboza is a tried and tested veteran and he wasn’t ready to take his foot off the gas. Despite his best efforts, Chikadze caught Barboza with a series of strikes and sent him spiraling to the canvas.
Rodilla al cuerpo seguida de buenos golpes y Giga está de cacería!!! #UFCVegas35 pic.twitter.com/0qREp4GszO
— UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) August 29, 2021
After a tussle on the ground, the Georgian fighter managed to land a few more effective strikes and the referee had no choice but to stop the contest. Barboza was nearly out on his feet and Giga Chikadze managed to capture the attention of everyone in the MMA community.
Well done Giga, I thought he was slowing down in round two…guess not!! 🤣 #UFCVegas35
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) August 29, 2021
Wow 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) August 29, 2021
Giga Chikadze finishes Edson Barboza via strikes in R3. Wow. Battered him. Barboza was trying to survive but he looked out on his feet to me. Good stoppage. And hell of a fight by Giga.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) August 29, 2021
Wow @giga_chikadze is the real@deal!#UFCVegas35
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 29, 2021
That fight was CHILLS! Strikers like that keep you on the edge of your seat waiting for the finishing shot! Giga is your winner tonight! HUGE for Georgia!! 🇬🇪 #UFCVegas35
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) August 29, 2021
the precision and aggressiveness of chikadze #ufcvegas35
— Juan Espino El Guapo (@juan_espino_ofi) August 29, 2021
Giga talked and then he walked
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) August 29, 2021
Very impressive performance by giga
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) August 29, 2021
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7️⃣ – 0️⃣ para @Giga_Chikadze en el UFC, impresionante 👏👏👏 #UFCVegas35 pic.twitter.com/ROmNJIfEPM
— UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) August 29, 2021
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