A featherweight striker’s delight has been targeted to headline an
Ultimate Fighting Championship card on Aug. 28.
According to a report from
ESPN, the promotion is targeting a clash pitting Edson
Barboza against Giga
Chikadze for a UFC Fight Night event on that date. The contest
has not yet been officially signed but is close to being
finalized.
Barboza is 2-1 since moving from lightweight to 145 pounds. After
dropping a closely-contested split decision to Dan Ige at UFC
on ESPN 8, the 35-year-old Brazilian has rebounded to score a
decision win over Makwan
Amirkhani at UFC Fight Night 179 followed by a knockout over
Shane
Burgos at UFC 262. Barboza had lost four of his previous five
Octagon appearances before switching divisions.
Chikadze has won his last eight bouts since August 2018 — including
six triumphs in UFC competition. The 32-year-old Kings MMA
representative scored his most notable victory to date at UFC on
ESPN 23, where he defeated Cub Swanson
with a body kick and follow-up punches 63 seconds into their May 1
bout.