Joanderson Brito believes UFC 331 could be ‘an end’ for Giga Chikadze: ‘It’s a new era’

Joanderson Brito enters UFC 331 in Los Angeles confident that his preliminary-card bout with Giga Chikadze could mark a turning point in both fighters' careers—but for very different reasons.

Brito, a Brazilian featherweight, has finished six of his seven UFC victories and arrives on a two-fight winning streak. He views the matchup as an opportunity to break into the rankings and establish himself among the division's next wave of contenders. Chikadze, a 38-year-old former GLORY kickboxer, is struggling through a three-fight skid that includes losses to Arnold Allen, David Onama, and Kevin Vallejos, giving Brito a well-timed platform to build his profile.

In an interview with MMA Fighting, Brito acknowledged Chikadze's veteran status and long tenure in the UFC while framing the bout as emblematic of a promotional shift. "There's a beginning, a middle, and an end," Brito said. "I believe the UFC is renewing its roster of athletes, and it's a new era." He sees the fight as the promotion's way of letting him prove his value against an established name in decline. "The UFC is saying, 'Here's the guy. Now go make a name for yourself.'" Brito is confident in his finishing ability, having emphasized that his first two rounds are his strongest, though he remains prepared to extend the bout into the third if necessary.

While a finish could secure Brito a ranking, his primary focus is simply staying active. He lamented fighting only twice yearly in the UFC and expressed frustration that opponents have been reluctant to accept bouts against him. Rather than fixate on his ranking trajectory—which has fluctuated from No. 14 to No. 15 and back out entirely—Brito prioritizes maximizing fight frequency. After UFC 331, he has expressed interest in facing David Onama, another featherweight in the rankings, before year's end.