When the UFC wraps up its 2025 calendar, it’s doing so with both a major broadcast transition and a featherweight showdown between two fighters at dramatically different points in their careers. The addition of Giga Chikadze vs. Kevin Vallejos to the Dec. 13 Fight Night 266 card underscores a compelling story woven through contrasting momentum, fresh beginnings, and an era-ending moment for the promotion. Expand Tweet

Giga Chikadze’s Journey: Flashes of Brilliance, Recent Setbacks

Few featherweights have experienced the exhilarating highs and demoralizing lows seen in Chikadze’s UFC tenure. After igniting the division with a 7-0 UFC run—capped by three consecutive post-fight knockout bonuses and a Fight of the Night war against Calvin Kattar—Chikadze looked every bit like a future title

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