For most fighters, the driving force behind an MMA career, especially in the UFC, is either the money or the belt. But for UFC featherweight star Giga Chikadze, the motivation runs much deeper. His true mission is “Knockout Cancer.” But why? Well, ‘Ninja’s story took a life-changing turn back in 2013. At just 25 years old, he lost his mother, Nino, after she fought a long eight-year battle with cancer. Her passing became a powerful catalyst for the Georgian fighter, setting him on a lifelong mission to make a difference in the fight against the dreadful disease.

Just a year later, in 2014, when Chikadze had only one professional MMA fight to his name, he founded the Knockout Cancer Foundation in honor of his late mother, who had passed away from breast cancer. Nino had always been one of the biggest inspirations behind his decision to pursue a career in MMA. Today, the 145fer himself mainly supports the Knockout Cancer Foundation, through his earnings from fighting in the Octagon and his endorsements. The organization helps cover medical expenses for cancer patients, including treatments, checkups, and lab tests. Over the years, it has claimed to assist more than 200 patients with financial support.

The heartbreaking story of Giga Chikadze’s mother and his mission is also shared on the foundation’s official website, which reads: “The Knockout Cancer Foundation was established in 2014, in loving memory of Nino Chikadze — a mother of two who lost her fight against cancer in 2013. The mission of the foundation is to raise funds for cancer patients and to improve the lives of the many affected by this disease. Currently, the charity relies mainly on donations of Giga Chikadze, a Georgian mixed martial artist and former kickboxer. Since its inception, Knockout Cancer has helped over 200 patients by funding their treatments, medical checkups, lab tests, and rehabilitation expenses. We hope that one day cancer will be manageable, until then we will keep helping as many people as we can.”

Naturally, Chikadze’s remarkable efforts didn’t go unnoticed. In 2022, the UFC awarded him the prestigious Forrest Griffin Community Award during the UFC Hall of Fame ceremony—a special honor Dana White personally chose. At first, when Giga received the news, he was in disbelief. In fact, it wasn’t until he saw the announcement live on TV, just moments after receiving a call from the UFC’s social media manager, that it truly sank in.

Today, at 36 years old, with a heart dedicated to making a difference, Chikadze’s journey is far from over. Without a doubt, he still has many miles to travel — and with the passion he carries, the most inspiring chapters of his story are yet to be written.

What’s next for Giga Chikadze’s ‘Cancer Knockout’?

While the Knockout Cancer Foundation has assisted over 200 patients, it’s still a small fraction of the many who need support. Giga Chikadze is determined not to stop here, especially with just a few years left in his career. Reflecting on his childhood, Giga recalls how costly cancer treatments were. During those challenging times, both he and his mother, Nino, received help from family and the community. Inspired by their generosity, ‘Ninja’ established the foundation to offer financial assistance to cancer patients.

Describing the work of his organization, Giga Chikadze explained, ‘We primarily fund medical bills, and also provide support for post-chemotherapy and post-surgery care… for things like check-ups, doctor visits, MRIs, and other procedures.‘ Though ‘Ninja’ recognizes the impact they’ve made, he views this as just the beginning. In 2021, he shared, ‘Our goal is to multiply this impact by hundreds and thousands in the future. While my fund may not be large yet, for those individuals, it made a significant difference, and I’m proud of that.”

Now, with that same spirit driving him, Giga Chikadze is just hours away from making his return to the Octagon at UFC Kansas, where he’s set to take on David Onama — a fighter riding the momentum of a three-fight win streak. Can Giga rise to the occasion once again? Stay tuned.