Josh Emmett Seeks New Opponent as Giga Chikadze Pulls Out of UFC 296 Clash

In an unexpected turn of events, Josh Emmett finds himself without an opponent for his scheduled bout at UFC 296 on December 16 in Las Vegas after Giga Chikadze withdrew due to injury, leaving the decorated featherweight in search of a replacement.

Reports from sources familiar with the UFC’s plans confirmed Chikadze's unfortunate withdrawal from the highly anticipated fight. The Georgian fighter disclosed a torn groin suffered during training, posting a video that revealed the incident, subsequently sidelining him from the upcoming event.

Taking to Twitter to address the sudden vacancy, Emmett expressed his readiness for a new challenger.

The setback comes as a blow for Chikadze, who marked his return to the Octagon in August with a unanimous decision victory over Alex Caceres. His triumphant comeback followed an 18-month hiatus following a punishing five-round clash with Calvin Kattar in January 2022, necessitating clearance from the Nevada Athletic Commission due to the damage sustained in that bout.

Meanwhile, Emmett is eager to rebound from consecutive losses against Yair Rodriguez and Ilia Topuria. After an impressive five-fight winning streak, Emmett faced setbacks in his pursuit of the interim championship, succumbing to Rodriguez's triangle choke at UFC 284. His return four months later saw a spirited battle against Topuria in Florida, earning the "Fight of the Night" honors despite falling short.

For Emmett, the quest for redemption and resurgence continues as he aims to secure a replacement opponent for the year's final UFC event, hoping to regain momentum and return triumphantly to the win column. As the UFC 296 card awaits a new co-headliner, fight enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the announcement of Emmett's new adversary in what promises to be an electrifying matchup.