UFC is not for the faint-hearted. It’s not just about getting millions of dollars in bonuses and winning golden glistening belts. This glory of being the top fighter comes after intense training, weight cuts, and most of all battering your body till you can’t get up. UFC fighters are strong but not invincible. They get injured, and the body takes a toll because of this career, and sometimes these injuries hinder them from fighting. UFC is a double-edged sword, yes, the sword is yours, but it can hurt you too.
Many fighters from Jon Jones to Conor McGregor know how injuries can hold you back, but maybe they don’t know it as much as prominent UFC featherweight Giga Chikadze. He has faced several damaging injuries throughout his career, and here is an overview of them all.
All about Giga Chikadze’s injuries
The 15–4–0 featherweight star knows how injuries can hurt and look but what happened in 2021 could have ended his career. The damage was visible on his face during his fight against Calvin Kattar at UFC Vegas 46 after five grueling rounds. He had to undergo an MRI and was evaluated for neurological damage as well. This resulted in him getting suspended on the grounds of medical rules by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
He had absorbed significant strikes, resulting in deep cuts and bruising on his face. He underwent five surgeries to address injuries sustained during the fight as per MMA Junkie. But this was just the start of his series of damages. He also had to withdraw from his clash against Sodiq Yusuff scheduled for the UFC Apex in Las Vegas in 2022, but the reasons were not disclosed.
This was followed by Chikadze suffering a torn groin during training for a scheduled bout against Josh Emmett at UFC 296. He announced on social media about the same back in 2023 and said, “Sh*t happens! Tore groin! I’ll be back soon!” After an 18-month hiatus, Chikadze was finally ready to get inside the Octagon and faced Alex Caceres at UFC Singapore. He secured a unanimous decision victory, marking a successful return to competition. After a loss against Arnold Allen at UFC 304, he is coming back against David Onama soon.
However, during UFC 304, he announced that he sustained an injury during the fight, yet again, much to his opponent’s dismay. ‘Ninja’ posted on Instagram, “I had a really good fight yesterday, no excuse as I mentioned but probably, I need to inform you guys that at the end of the first round, I tore my right shoulder and in the second and third rounds, I could not lift my right hand.” Despite facing multiple setbacks due to injuries, Giga Chikadze has demonstrated resilience and determination in his journey back to the UFC.
When Giga Chikadze was indefinitely suspended due to injuries
Chikadze did not just sustain injuries, but they were so severe that he had to be suspended as well back in 2022. The flamboyant Georgian kickboxer headlined the first UFC card of 2022 in Las Vegas against fellow featherweight standout Kattar. However, he was on the receiving end of a pretty much one-sided beating that left him with cuts and bruises on his face.
Kattar’s handiwork was so severe that Chikadze had to be suspended indefinitely by Nevada Athletic Commission due to medical reasons. Additionally, the former GLORY featherweight had to undergo an MRI and was evaluated by a neurosurgeon within the next two weeks after the fight. Although he was victorious, Kattar didn’t escape a medical suspension as well. The Bostonian time on the sidelines due to a nasal fracture.
As per The Sun, the Georgian declared that he would come back stronger. He said, “I’m unbreakable, remember this s**t. Georgians are always unbreakable. This is how we fight, until the f***ing end.” Interestingly, since both were in the same hospital after the fight, the duo clicked a picture together as well. However, Chikadze is safe for now and is coming back to clash against David Onama at UFC on ESPN 66. Hopefully, he won’t be injured severely again!
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