Brito targets Chikadze finish at UFC 331 to force his way into featherweight rankings

Joanderson Brito is treating his UFC 331 featherweight bout against Giga Chikadze as a career-defining opportunity, telling MMA Fighting he expects to finish the veteran Georgian and establish himself as a genuine 145-pound contender at the Los Angeles card on Saturday.

Brito has stopped opponents in six of his seven UFC victories, with his only decision win coming against Diego Lopes — now a two-time title challenger — on the Contender Series. A third straight win would push the Brazilian into the featherweight rankings conversation, though Brito insists his immediate priority is simply staying active.

“I have to respect him because he’s been in the organization for a long time, he’s been in the rankings for a long time and he’s already fought the best guys,” Brito said. “But, like everything in life, there’s a beginning, a middle, and an end. I believe the UFC is renewing its roster of athletes, and it’s a new era. I’m just getting here now — I still feel like I’m just arriving in the organization. I’m still looking for my place.”

Chikadze, a former GLORY kickboxer, arrives on the worst run of his MMA career, having lost consecutively to Arnold Allen, David Onama, and Kevin Vallejos. The 38-year-old has been finished only twice in his career — by knockout against Vallejos and by submission on the 2018 Contender Series — but Brito believes he has the tools to end the fight in either fashion.

“I believe I can knock him out or submit him at any moment,” Brito said. “My first and second rounds are very strong, but I can also take the fight into the third round and maintain a very strong pace. My focus is to finish the fight before the end of the third round.”

Brito is candid about how he reads the UFC’s intentions with the matchup, framing it as the promotion handing him a proving ground.

“I believe the UFC said, ‘Here you go. He’s not doing very well right now, but he’s a veteran. Now you have to show your value. Here’s your gateway into the rankings,’” Brito said. “I’m going to make my name.”

Despite the potential ranking implications of a finish, Brito says his bigger frustration is the pace of his UFC schedule. Having fought only twice per year since joining the promotion, he is pushing for more frequent appearances as the foundation of his long-term ambitions in the division.