Giga Chikadze (image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Following his impressive win over Cub Swanson, Giga Chikadze is calling for another, big-name fight, and one opponent he’s mentioned is Yair Rodriguez.

Chikadze faced Swanson in the co-headliner of UFC Vegas 26, and he quickly finished the longtime, featherweight contender with a punishing liver kick. After the victory, Chikadze called for a fight with Max Holloway, but he also made it clear he’s interested in fighting Rodriguez (quotes via MMA Fighting).

“I’m going to say something I really want to say: If the fans and [UFC President] Dana [White] and [UFC matchmaker] Sean [Shelby] really want to see … something special, I think [me] versus Yair Rodriguez will be a real ninja fight,” Chikadze said.

“At some point, I believe this fight has to happen,” saidChikadze, before finishing his callout with a joke. “It has to be real Mortal Kombat. I would love this fight, and plus, he’s been pulling out of fights for the last few times, and I’m not that dangerous.”

Chikadze (13-2) has won eight straight fights now, and six of those took place under the UFC banner.

Rodriguez (13-2, 1 NC), meanwhile, hasn’t fought since October 2019 when he scored a decision win over Jeremy Stephens. The dynamic striker is 3-1, with 1 no contest in his last 5 fights.