Top UFC featherweight contender Giga Chikadze feels disrespected by UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski dismissing him as a potential title challenger.
Chikadze recently spoke with MMA Fighting's Damon Martin ahead of his UFC Vegas 46 main event clash with Calvin Kattar this Saturday night and bashed Volkanovski for seemingly preferring Chan Sung Jung replace an injured Max Holloway over the 33-year old Georgian contender.
“I know the chump is trying to have an easy task,” Chikadze said. “Probably ‘The Korean Zombie,’ no disrespect — [in the] top 10, everybody is tough, but I believe I already beat one of the strongest guys in the division the last time [Edson Barboza], and now the easiest one in all these guys is ‘The Korean Zombie,’ for me. That’s how I see the champ is looking to get this fight. Because he wants to go the easy way. This guy doesn’t even know what he is talking about. There is no respect if you reply to me like this. You know what respect is? Whatever I deserve, I want everyone to mention. I have a seven-fight win streak, I’m fighting my eighth fight. Come on, I deserve this shot for a long time. I’m not just a regular guy. I come from a long, long, long [martial arts] background. I did not take this as a respectful answer to me. My time is going to come and it’s coming. They cannot avoid me.”
He continued on to bash Volkanovski more and say that he believes the reigning 145-pound champion is the easiest fight for him in the top ten currently of the UFC's featherweight division.
“It’s an easier task for them, for Volkanovski,” Chikadze said. “I’ve been fighting these type of guys all of my life and making my life with that. He knows I’m for him the hardest and strongest fight. That’s why he’s trying to avoid me. I understand. He wants to stay safe and make money but I’m here to become a champion. I feel like I’m ready to take over everything and I will take over everything. I have a mission for next week, but I know what I’m going to do. It’s just going to be me there and get the ‘W.’ They just need to wait for me for one week. Honestly for me, I think [Volkanovski is] the easiest fight in the top 10. This guy cannot even reach me when we stand together. What’s he going to do? Some guys have good submissions. Some guys have good punches or technique. What does this guy have against me? Nothing.”
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— UFC (@ufc) January 8, 2022
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