UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Chikadze Bet Preview

The UFC returns for the new year, and as always, delivers a banger to lead the 2022 schedule. In the main event, fans will be treated to a striking featherweight duel between the boxing style of Calvin Kattar and the explosive kicks of Giga Chikadze. This is a critical matchup in the featherweight division, and both fighters will hope to find themselves in a title fight by the end of 2022 with a victory. 

When - 4:00 PM EST Prelims, 7:00 PM EST Main Card, January 15, 2022

Where - UFC Apex Center, Enterprise, Las Vegas, Nevada

Watch - Streams live on ESPN+

Calvin Kattar vs. Giga Chikadze Main Event

After losing a bloody and devastating beatdown to the former featherweight champion and fan-favorite Max Holloway, Calvin Kattar will look to regain his momentum with an enormous win over the surging Giga Chikadze. Both fighters have an exciting style, and Kattar will look to get on the inside and land power shots or elbows to put Chikadze down. If the fight starts going badly for Kattar, don't be surprised to see him change things up and attempt some takedowns to swing the momentum back into his favor.

Chikadze is an absolute beast and has been a TKO machine over his last few fights. He finished the powerful Edson Barboza in a back and forth brawl with a third-round TKO and dropped Cub Swanson with a "Giga Kick" to the liver in the fight before that. He is on an absolute tear with nine straight victories and seven wins in the UFC.

After a long and likely depressing layoff, Kattar will be fighting an uphill battle against the peaking Chikadze, who appears to be ready for a shot at the featherweight crown.

Katlyn Chookagian vs. Jennifer Maia

Fans will be treated to an exciting bout between Katlyn Chookagian and Jennifer Maia as an appetizer to the main event. Chookagian has experience on her side, having fought the toughest competition in the division after contests with dominant champion Valentina Shevchenko, Jessica Andrade, and Cynthia Calvillo. She is coming off a victory over Viviane Araujo and looks to navigate her way back into the title picture with a win on Saturday night.

Jennifer Maia has struggled to find consistent victories going 4-3 in her last seven fights. While she sometimes stumbles to get her opponent to the ground, her top game is strong when she can drag them down and look to pull Chookagian into her world. With the experience, volume, and speed of Chookagian, Maia may struggle to find success in this contender matchup.

Brandon Royval vs. Rogerio Bontorin

Brandon Royval will take on Rogerio Bontorin in what is sure to be a fireworks display, knockdown drag-out war of a fight. Brandon Royval has struggled to find success in recent fights, but going against some of the best flyweights in the division, we can cut him a break for now. He will look to put himself in another position to fight for the flyweight strap should he find a way to win this battle.

Rogerio Bontorin is a big, thick, powerful flyweight that throws loaded bombs that can end a fight early. While his strikes are solid, he struggles to put together quality combinations and may struggle against the fast pace and volume of Royval. Bontorin is most at home when he is on the mat searching for submissions. Both fighters will try and do damage on the feet before taking it to the mat and testing each other's grappling ability. But with the speed and pace of Royval, Bontorin has a challenging road ahead of him.

UFC Fight Night Full Card and Details

Main Card

Calvin Kattar (+195) vs. Giga Chikadze (-240)

Katlyn Chookagian (-175) vs. Jennifer Maia (+145)

Brandon Royval (-165) vs. Rogerio Bontorin (+135)

Chase Sherman (+110) vs. Jake Collier (-130)

Bill Algeo (+110) vs Joanderson Brito (-130)

Prelims

Court McGee (-115) vs. Ramiz Brahimaj (-105)

Joseph Holmes (-150) vs. Jamie Pickett (+130)

Brian Kelleher (N/A) vs. Kevin Croom (N/A)

Viacheslav Borshchev (-180) vs. Dakota Bush (+155)