Giga Chikadze twice drove to Las Vegas, on weight and in shape, ready to show up Kevin Holland.
At the time, the UFC featherweight was running neck-and-neck with the outspoken middleweight – they both had 4-0 records in 2020. Chikadze heard Holland had gotten a fifth fight, and he wanted to get to 5-0 first. So he made the four-hour drive from his adopted hometown of Los Angeles. But like many who visit Sin City, he left empty-handed.
“I was just waiting for my chance,” Chikadze told MMA Fighting. “I informed all the matchmakers, if someone pulled out, I was there to take the fight.