Kevin Vallejos Shocks Giga Chikadze With a Spinning
Kevin Vallejos delivered the biggest win of his career at UFC Vegas 112, flattening veteran striker Giga Chikadze with a stunning spinning backfist followed by vicious elbows for a Round 2 knockout. The Argentinian prospect entered the co‑main event as the underdog, but he walked out as one of the night’s most talked‑about finishers.
Cageside Press reported that Vallejos “exploded out of nowhere throwing a spinning backfist against the fence that caught Giga clean,” sending the Georgian crashing to the canvas before the finishing elbows sealed the stoppage. LowKick MMA added that the official time of the knockout was 1:29 of Round 2, calling it an “insane spinning back fist KO” that instantly went viral.
A Fight That Turned on a Dime
The opening round was competitive, with Chikadze landing heavy body kicks and controlling the distance. Vallejos stayed composed, working the clinch and attacking the legs, but Chikadze appeared to be the cleaner striker early.
That changed in an instant.
Early in Round 2, Chikadze pressed forward, looking to build momentum. Vallejos read the entry perfectly, pivoted, and unleashed the spinning backfist that detonated on Chikadze’s jaw. As Chikadze stumbled to the floor, Vallejos followed with sharp elbows until the referee stepped in.
Cageside Press described the finish as “vicious and electrifying,” noting that it marked the biggest win of Vallejos’ young career.
Vallejos’ Breakout Moment
With the victory, Vallejos extended his unbeaten streak and improved to 17–1, with 12 wins coming by knockout. LowKick MMA highlighted that the win also moved him to 3–0 in the UFC, cementing him as a rising force in the featherweight division.
In his post‑fight comments, Vallejos showed class, praising Chikadze and even pledging to donate part of his purse to the Georgian’s cancer charity — a gesture that drew widespread respect across the MMA community.
He also used the moment to call out UFC legend Cub Swanson for a potential 2026 showdown in Miami.
What This Means for the Featherweight Division
The featherweight landscape is stacked with killers, but Vallejos just announced himself as a legitimate threat. His combination of power, timing, and composure under pressure makes him a dangerous matchup for anyone in the top 15.
Chikadze, meanwhile, now faces a three‑fight skid and must regroup after suffering one of the most brutal knockouts of his career.
Final Thoughts
Kevin Vallejos didn’t just beat Giga Chikadze — he made a statement. A spinning backfist knockout in a co‑main event against a proven striker is the kind of moment that changes careers.
Vallejos arrived at UFC Vegas 112 as a prospect.
He left as a contender.
