Giga Chikadze hasn’t heard back from Yair Rodriguez yet, but he wants to fight July 17 regardless.
After Max Holloway withdrew from the UFC on ESPN 26 headliner against Rodriguez due to injury, Chikadze claimed he’s been offered the opportunity to replace him.
Chikadze (13-2 MMA, 6-0 UFC) immediately agreed, but he is still unsure if Rodriguez (12-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) is on board.
“I wish I could say this, but unfortunately so far nothing from our side is done,” Chikadze told MMA Junkie. “We already agreed on everything and we’re just ready to represent July 17 – one more ‘Mortal Kombat’ series fight. But so far, I’m waiting for him to agree. I hope the ‘El Pussy Cat’ is going to show up and we’re going to have, I believe, some good fight.”
Chikadze has not been afraid to call his shots. Unbeaten in the UFC, the former kickboxer is coming off a notable first-round TKO of Cub Swanson and is ready to take on the division’s top contenders.
The only issue is, Chikadze says none of the ranked opponents want to fight him.
“(Rodriguez has) been out for almost two years, and in this first one and half years, I’ve been fighting like six times,” Chikadze said. “Since he was done resting or even his contract – he got cut by UFC and stuff, so I don’t know what he’s thinking. I think he’s thinking to reschedule with Max because Max is the No. 1 ranked. But come on man, you have to fight for your ranking. He’s not ranked the three to me, like how the guy’s better than me? Come on, man. I made everything in this past year and a half, I fought six times and all the people are talking about ‘he never fought a ranked opponent and stuff.’
“How I’m going to fight a ranked opponent if nobody fights me in the top 10? Since the day I fought, the same day right away in my interviews, I was saying, ‘Dana (White), schedule me again with anybody,’ and I know they tried. UFC tried to schedule me all the different opponents. I flew to Houston. I wanted to be a backup fight for any lightweight or featherweight. I flew to Phoenix – the same, featherweights or lightweights. If they needed an opponent, I would be there, and I was there. No one agrees. Like, you tell me how I’m going to fight all these top 10 opponents if nobody agrees?”
If Rodriguez doesn’t agree to fight him, Chikadze would love to fill in that UFC on ESPN 26 headliner spot. One fighter that gauged his interest is Chan Sung Jung, who got back in the win column this past Saturday with a unanimous decision win over Dan Ige.
“I mentioned right away,” Chikadze said. “I called Ali (Abdelaziz), too, and said, ‘Maybe “Korean Zombie” can fight me.’ I see he’s not really damaged. Of course, he has a little cut, but I believe in one month it will be all done. He’s going to wait, and July 17 fits me well if ‘Zombie’ agrees, as well. Even if ‘Zombie’ doesn’t agree, anybody from top 10. I really want to take the opportunity and fight my first main event. I really wanted this, especially not only for me, for my country as well. I want to represent my country in main event fights, too.”
