Giga Chikadze hoping for ‘Mortal Kombat’ fight against Yair Rodriguez: “Two ninjas fighting in the cage”
UFC featherweight contender Giga Chikadze is hoping for a ‘Mortal Kombat’ fight against Yair Rodriguez, saying it would be “two ninjas fighting in the cage.”
Chikadze is one of the hottest UFC fighters at 145lbs these days as he’s won all six of his fights in the Octagon including a body kick TKO over veteran Cub Swanson in his last outing. Chikadze said after the win over Swanson that he wants a step up in competition and he specifically called out Max Holloway and Rodriguez, but the UFC decided to match those two up for the July 17 UFC Fight Night card in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, Holloway got injured and had to pull out of the fight, leaving Rodriguez without an opponent. Now, Chikadze is hoping to take Holloway’s spot and fill in.
Speaking to TMZ Sports, Chikadze confirmed that the UFC already called him to fight Rodriguez on short notice and he accepted the fight, but he says Rodriguez doesn’t want it.
“I really wanted to fight Max because he had an incredible performance last time (against Calvin Kattar). That’s why I’m here, to fight with the best. Besides him, Yair Rodriguez. Stylistically this fight reminds me of the real ‘Mortal Kombat’ game. Two ninjas fighting in the cage. But they got scheduled to fight each other on July 17. Max Holloway, unfortunately, got injured and I wish him a fast recovery, a speedy recovery, a safe recovery. But Yair Rodriguez needs an opponent and it would be a pleasure to fight him. Actually, the UFC called me about this fight and I agreed right away, of course,” Chikadze said.
The Georgian says he still hasn’t heard back from ‘El Pantera,’ so he decided to send a message to the Mexican, jokingly suggesting that he should change his nickname to ‘El Pussycat’ instead.
“My message is the same, man. Come, pussycat. You call yourself ‘El Pantera,’ but I feel ‘El Pussycat’ fits you better. Come prove me wrong in Las Vegas. Let’s do this show for Mortal Kombat, for all the fans. If you prove me wrong, I believe you will get you wherever you want to get, but I believe you are ‘El Pussycat’ so you are not going to do this,” Chikadze said.
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