Giga Chikadze
Active 2020–present · rated in 3 editions · peak overall 82.0
Scouting report
Launching his UFC career with seven consecutive victories, including knockouts of Cub Swanson and Edson Barboza, Giga "Ninja" Chikadze transitioned from international kickboxing into an elite featherweight contender. Born in Tbilisi, Georgia and training under Rafael Cordeiro at Kings MMA, Chikadze is known for his "Giga Kick" to the liver and southpaw distance management. His striking is showcased by a 94 Kickboxing rating and an 86 Cardio score.
Peak ratings
By edition
Chikadze went on a seven-fight UFC winning streak across 2020 and 2021, knocking out Jamey Simmons, Cub Swanson with a body kick and punches in round one, and finishing veteran Edson Barboza in round three at UFC on ESPN 30 in Las Vegas. His distance management, liver kicks, and striking speed are reflected in a 94 Kickboxing and 84 Boxing.
After suffering a five-round decision loss to Calvin Kattar in January 2022, Chikadze returned in August 2023 at UFC Fight Night 225 in Singapore, out-pointing Alex Caceres before dropping a decision to Arnold Allen at UFC 304 in Manchester. His striking, long kicks, and takedown defense anchor his 93 Kickboxing and 84 Boxing ratings.
Giga Chikadze, the Georgian karate kid who took his kicks to Glory and then to MMA
Giga Chikadze was born in Tbilisi and started Goju-ryu karate at four or five. He grew up on Jet Li and Bruce Lee films and on early cage fighting events he watched on VHS, Royce Gracie in particular. He moved to the Netherlands to kickbox and joined Glory in 2015 before switching to MMA. He won five straight first-round knockouts in Gladiator Challenge and lost by rear-naked choke to Austin Springer on Dana White's Contender Series in 2018.
Chikadze's ratings, translated
Boxing. Good at 84. He knocked down Omar Morales in the final round of their 2020 decision win.
Kickboxing. The standout at 94. He finished Cub Swanson with a body kick and punches in round one in 2021.
Wrestling. His lowest, tied at 72. His grappling has been the weak side of his game since Austin Springer choked him on the Contender Series.
BJJ. Tied for his lowest at 72. Springer's third-round rear-naked choke was his second professional loss.
Strength. Solid at 78. His finishes come from precise striking rather than from size.
Durability. Sound at 82. Calvin Kattar knocked him down and nearly finished him in the last seconds of their main event in January 2022, but he was still standing at the bell.
Cardio. Very good at 86. He finished Edson Barboza in round three of a back-and-forth fight in 2021.
Fight IQ. Good at 84. He beat Alex Caceres by unanimous decision in 2023, and his 2019 debut win over Brandon Davis was recorded as a split decision after a scoring error was corrected.
Kickboxing is the reason to draft him
His kickboxing rating is 94, the highest on the card, and the resume supports it. Three of his stoppages earned Performance of the Night bonuses: a first-round TKO of Jamey Simmons, a body kick that ended Cub Swanson in round one, and a third-round TKO of Edson Barboza. He is a fighter you draft to keep opponents on the far end of a kicking range.
If it goes to the floor, he is in trouble: Wrestling and BJJ
Wrestling and BJJ tie for his lowest at 72. Austin Springer submitted him in the third round of a Contender Series fight, and he needed a split decision to beat Jamall Emmers in 2020. A grappler who can get past the kicks and hold position will negate his best tools, which is why you want a team that can cover the ground.
Keep exploring
Closest featherweight profiles to Giga Chikadze, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Edson Barbozabest kickboxing 94 · weakest bjj 74
- Yair Rodriguezbest kickboxing 93 · weakest wrestling 72
- Cub Swansonbest boxing 86 · weakest wrestling 72
- Erik Kochbest kickboxing 84 · weakest wrestling 72
- Featherweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Giga Chikadze's strongest attribute, Kickboxing.
Draft Giga Chikadze into your build
Giga Chikadze enters the pool on any spin landing on featherweight between 2020 and present. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Giga Chikadze is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Giga Chikadze's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.