Georgian featherweight Giga Chikadze is the 2022 recipient of the UFC’s Forrest Griffin Community Award.
UFC officials announced the news during Saturday’s UFC Vegas 55 broadcast, along with an accompanying press release.
The award, handed out annually, recognizes UFC athletes for their exceptional volunteer and charity work, and “the meaningful impact their efforts have on the community.” Along with the award itself, Chikadze will receive a $25,000 donation on his behalf to a charity of his choosing.
Chikadze will receive the award as part of the UFC’s 2022 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, part of this year’s International Fight Week. The event takes place on June 30, 2022 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Giga is a great role model for athletes who want to help those in need by giving back to their community,” UFC President Dana White was quoted as saying in Saturday’s press release. “Giga sets a perfect example by making a positive impact on his community by helping those effected by cancer with anything they need, while staying out of the spotlight. He understands that it’s not about publicity, it’s just the right thing to do. It’s an honor to present him with this award.”
Chikadze and his sister Keso established The Knockout Cancer Foundation in 2013, after their mother passed away following a battle with breast cancer. The foundation is a non-profit that assists individuals fighting cancer with financial support for medical bills, chemotherapy, and medical evaluations. The siblings have also launched campaigns in the United States, Armenia, Cuba, Haiti, Ukraine, and their native Georgia to aid more than 200 individuals during their cancer treatments.
The fighter also donates a portion of his fight purse from each fight to the cause.
Giga Chikadze joins an elite club consisting of Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier, the two previous recipients of the Forrest Griffin Community Award. The honor was introduced in 2020.
