Featherweights Giga Chikadze and David Onama faced off at UFC Kansas City, with the #12-ranked Chikadze giving an opportunity to the unranked Onama to break into the top 15.
Chikadze had not competed since a decision loss to Arnold Allen last July, and was treating the fight as a stepping stone to a bigger name, he explained during Fight Week. Onama, meanwhile, was fighting at home, and wasn’t about to be overlooked.
Known for his “Giga Kick,” Chikadze’s kicks were on full display early in Saturday’s fight. He went to the head and body, though Onama was quick to block the attacks. Those kicks would continue to come from both sides as the round progressed, however. Onama would try to walk the Georgian down, but Chikadze was certain to circle out of harm’s way any time he started to get hemmed in. Onama would get the fight to the ground at the end of the frame, getting on top, but didn’t have much time to work.
Round two saw Chikadze come out and land a right hand. Onama used kicks of his own to try to keep Giga off his line, and mixed in an uppercut with his next combo. This round, Onama would get the fight down earlier, with over 90 seconds still on the clock. When Chikadze tried to scramble, Onama dragged him along the canvas. Onama looked for a choke, and to find space for elbows, as Giga Chikadze worked his way to the fence. Chikadze finally got to his feet when the round came to a close, with Onama having worked over the body on the ground.
Between rounds, Giga’s corner told him the fight was tied 1-1. A pretty accurate assessment, but one that also relied on the judges getting things right. And while the opening minutes played out on the feet, Onama landed the takedown with more than two minutes remaining. There appeared to be an accidental clash of heads ahead of that, and the end result was Onama stalling out on top for a bit. Still, it was enough to win him the round, and therefore the fight.
Official Result: David Onama def. Giga Chikadze by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
