In the main event of UFC Vegas 46, we saw big time showdown in the featherweight division. Top contenders battled it out in a matchup with big time implications as Calvin Kattar (22-5) returned to take on the surging Giga Chikadze (14-2).
UFC Vegas 46 was the first time we’ve seen Calvin Kattar in about a year. Last year, Kattar kicked off the UFC’s 2021 when he took on Max Holloway in a headlining fight on Fight Island. Had Kattar won that fight, he might’ve had a title shot in 2021.
However, he fell short and took such a beating that he took some time away. Now, he’s refreshed and was ready to go tonight. Overall, Kattar is 2-1 in his last three and the two wins came against top contenders Dan Ige and Jeremy Stephens.
Standing across from Kattar tonight was Giga Chikadze. Chikadze has been on a sensational run since joining the UFC. Chikadze is currently sitting at 7-0 with the promotion. In his last fight, he completely destroyed Edson Barboza and proved he’s one of the best in the world.
UFC Vegas 46 Recap
Round 1
The UFC Vegas 46 main event kicked off with Kattar taking the center and he eats two strong leg kicks from Chikadze. Front kick just misses from Chikadze. Kattar holding the center but Chikadze is looking fast here in the opening minute with his kicks.
Kick from Kattar is checked. Kattar coming forward with a lot of pressure and he lands a jab. Chikadze circling on the outside trying to stay elusive. Two powerful body kicks land for Chikadze. Chikadze’s speed is something else here in the opening part of the fight.
However, he sleeps throwing a kick and Kattar jumps on him. Chikadze bounces him up Kattar gets a body lock and slams Chikadze to the ground. Kattar immediately gets into half guard with half a round to work. Nice shots to the body are landing from Kattar here.
Chikadze trying to defend but he’s eating some shots from Kattar. The two start scrambling and Chikadze nearly gets on top. However, Kattar reverses and is able to get Chikadze’s back. The round comes to a close and it’s 1-0 Calvin Kattar at UFC Vegas 46.
Round 2
Entering the second at UFC Vegas 46 and it’s clear that Chikadze needs to keep this one standing. Kattar again takes the center to start the second round. Chikadze throws a big body kick that lands flush. Nice right hand lands over the top from Chikadze.
Kattar is pushing forward but he eats two more big kicks from Chikadze. Nice combination lands from Chikadze and Kattar just keeps pressuring. Powerful right straight from Chikadze but here comes Kattar. Kattar lands three straight jabs. Right straight from Kattar.
The two exchange straight shots. Big shot from Chikadze but he’s starting to look tired here. More pressure from Kattar and he lands a big combination on Chikadze. Chikadze is really starting to breathe heavy here as Kattar is relentless with his pressure.
Knee lands for Kattar and he hits Chikadze with a big shot over the top. Massive elbow lands for Kattar. Big combination from Chikadze but Kattar just walks through it. Kattar is walking Chikadze down here. Big shot lands for Kattar and he lands a jab behind it.
Three left straights land for Chikadze and now he pushes forward. Spinning back elbow from Kattar. Kattar and Chikadze are just throwing here. Big takedown from Kattar to end the round at what a round it was. 2-0 Kattar at UFC Vegas 46.
Round 3
Entering the third at UFC Vegas 46 and all momentum is with Calvin Kattar here. Chikadze breathing very heavy here in the third round. Two jabs open the round for Kattar. Another jab from Kattar and Chikadze is very flat-footed here. Stiff jab from Chikadze finds Kattar’s chin.
Kattar shoots in for a takedown but can’t get Chikadze down. Both men exchange jabs. Nice lead elbow for Calvin Kattar. Powerful 1-2 lands for Kattar. Kattar is piecing Chikadze up here in the third round. However, Chikadze answers back with a nice 1-2.
Low kick from Chikadze. Jab from Kattar and another low kick from Chikadze. Huge right hand from Chikadze and that forces a takedown attempt from Chikadze. Chikadze had to use the fence but he stays on the feet. They separate and they’re back to striking.
Both men are looking really tired here. Left over the top from Kattar and then he lands a big elbow. Jab from Kattar and he lands a nice right hook over the top. Counter left hook from Kattar as Chikadze comes in. However, Chikadze hurts Kattar with a combination of his own.
That said, he’s too tired to really follow up and Kattar recovers. Kattar answers back with a couple of big shots. Chikadze pushes forward strong in the final seconds and both men exchange gis shots. After three at UFC Vegas 46 and it very well might be 3-0 Kattar.
Round 4
Chikadze was able to land some big shots in the third and he needs to continue that in the fourth. Kattar immediately starts pressuring to start the fourth. Both men exchange big shots in the center. Kattar triples up on the jab to back up Chikadze. However, Chikadze lands a massive body kick.
Kattar pushes forward and is just touching Chikadze here. Takedown attempt from Kattar is blocked. Step-in elbow from Kattar. Jab from Kattar and then Chikadze lands a calf kick. Kattar switches stances and lands two more jabs. Jab and right hook lands for Chikadze.
Chikadze pushing forward more here and it looks like he’s found a second win. Nice shots from Chikadze, however, Kattar clips him and that backs Chikadze up. Right jab and a big left hook behind it from Kattar. Kattar tries hard for a takedown but Chikadze keeps it standing.
Jab and lead elbow from Kattar. Another elbow from Kattar and Chikadze is looking out of it here. More pressure from Kattar and he lands another jab. Slicing elbows in tight from Kattar. Right hook from Chikadze lands.
He tries for a head kick but Kattar blocks. Body kick from Chikadze. Now here comes Chikadze. Big combinations from Chikadze but he eats a big elbow from Kattar and that hurt him. Kattar pushes forward and closes the round strong. 4-0 Kattar at UFC Vegas 46.
Round 5
Entering the final round at UFC Vegas 46 and Chikadze needs a finish to win this one. Kattar comes forward and eats a kick from Chikadze. Big combination from Chikadze and he’s throwing everything he has here in the opening seconds. Kattar withstands it well then he comes right back at Chikadze.
Chikadze lands a nice right hook off his back foot. Kattar pushing forward and lands a nice 1-2. Two more jabs from Kattar and another big elbow that wobbles Chikadze. More jabs from Kattar and Chikadze throws a body kick.
Two more jabs and a big right hand over the top lands for Kattar. Chikadze tries to answer back but nothing there. 1-2 from Kattar. However, Chikadze stops the advancement with a couple of clean shots. Kattar goes right back on the pressure but eats a big kick.
Three straight jabs land for Kattar. Step-in elbow from Kattar lands a bloodied and battered Giga Chikadze. Body kick from Chikadze. Big combination from Kattar lands and Chikadze just eats it. Right over the top lands for Chikadze.
Another huge elbow and a left straight lands for Kattar. Jab from Kattar and a jab counter from Chikadze. Spinning elbow from Kattar. Chikadze lands a combination. Kattar lands another elbow and these two are going to throw to the end.
Chikadze gets dropped by Kattar in the final seconds and the bell saves Chikadze. What a dominant performance from Calvin Kattar!
Calvin Kattar def. Giga Chikadze by Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-44)