Giga Chikadze extended the unbeaten start to his octagon tenure Saturday with a main event win over Edson Barboza at UFC on ESPN 30.
Chikadze (14-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) further proved his legitimacy as a 145-pound contender to watch when he beat longtime veteran Barboza (22-10 MMA, 16-10 UFC) by third-round TKO in the headlining matchup, which took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Chikadze’s triumph over Barboza at UFC on ESPN 30.
Boston Salmon
Edson front switch kick to the body is nasty. One of his best weapons along side that leg kick
— Boston Salmon (@bostonboomboom) August 29, 2021
Dan Ige
This is a crazy match up 😳
— Dan “50k” Ige (@Dynamitedan808) August 29, 2021
Jessica-Rose Claek
I’ve been so excited for this main event. Has there been a better striker v striker match up???!!! #UFCVegas35
— Jessy Jess (@missjessyjess) August 29, 2021
Dan Tom
It’s fighters already showing better checking defense than normal due to the kicking threats at hand… #UFCVegas35
— Dan (@DanTomMMA) August 29, 2021
Kevin Iole
Giga takes Round 1 10-9 on my card
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) August 29, 2021
Belal Muhammad
Giga taking charge
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) August 29, 2021
Steven Wright
Giga is still scoring more, but let me tell you, Barbosa is getting closer and closer to his big shot. He may find it in the next two rounds. He’s just a little wide
— Steven Wright (@steventhewarman) August 29, 2021
Aaron Bronsteter
Very difficult round to score.
I have it 19-19 after two. Edson blocked a lot of Giga’s output and landed the more damaging strikes.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) August 29, 2021
Jed Meshew II
Giga slowing down now. He’s gonna need a second wind. And he really should start pressuring. He had a to of success when he did that.
— Jed Meshew II (@JedKMeshew) August 29, 2021
Alexander Volkanovski
Giga started of strong but looks to be hurting and slowing down! #UFCVegas35
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) August 29, 2021
Ben Fowlkes
Edson Barboza out here like okay let’s see you find a way to convince the judges you’re winning when I won’t let you move more than five feet back and forth with your back to the fence.
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) August 29, 2021
Brett Okamoto
Giga Chikadze finishes Edson Barboza via strikes in R3. Wow. Battered him. Barboza was trying to survive but he looked out on his feet to me. Good stoppage. And hell of a fight by Giga.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) August 29, 2021
Matthew Wells
WOW.
Giga ends it in the 3rd! Had Barboza wobbling all over the Apex! #UFCVegas35
— Matthew Wells (@MrMWells) August 29, 2021
Belal Muhammad
Giga talked and then he walked
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) August 29, 2021
Gilbert Burns
Wow @giga_chikadze is a monster wow 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) August 29, 2021
Josh Gross
Everything about this fight feels intelligent. I love it. Master Rafael Cordeiro’s advice for Chikadze was unreal. Classic. And then Giga absolutely hammered Edson. That was incredible.
— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) August 29, 2021
Shaheen Al-Shatti
Great stoppage. My goodness that was brutal. Giga Chikadze! #UFCVegas35
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) August 29, 2021
Alexander Volkanovski
Well done Giga, I thought he was slowing down in round two…guess not!! 🤣 #UFCVegas35
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) August 29, 2021
Aljamain Sterling
That fight was CHILLS! Strikers like that keep you on the edge of your seat waiting for the finishing shot! Giga is your winner tonight! HUGE for Georgia!! 🇬🇪 #UFCVegas35
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) August 29, 2021
Sodiq Yusuff
Very impressive performance by giga
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) August 29, 2021
Michael Carroll
LONGEST ACTIVE UFC WIN STREAKS – Featherweight
8 – Arnold Allen
7 – Alex Volkanovski
7 – Giga Chikadze
5 – Bryce Mitchell#UFCVegas35— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) August 29, 2021
Farah Hannoun
Giga Chikadze continues to rise to the occasion. As the competition gets stiffer, he elevates his game. Very impressive showing tonight. #UFCVegas35
— Farah Hannoun (@Farah_Hannoun) August 29, 2021