LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 28: (R-L) Giga Chikadze of Georgia battles Edson Barboza of Brazil in a featherweight battle throughout the UFC Struggle Evening occasion at UFC APEX on August 28, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Picture by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
November 14, 2023 5:10 pm ET
Mind damage is a threat professional fighters take every time they step into the cage or ring, however now Nevada is requiring particular relicensing hearings on a person foundation for many who suffered neurological harm deemed severe.
Tuesday, the Nevada Athletic Fee (NAC) cleared Giga Chikadze to compete as soon as once more in its jurisdiction on Dec. 16 at UFC 296 in Las Vegas vs. Josh Emmett.
“Giga Chikadze had a severe head damage,” govt director Jeff Mullen mentioned on the assembly, which MMA Junkie joined electronically. “He did undergo severe medical exams. He was cleared and his suspension was lifted. He fought in one other jurisdiction (since) earlier this 12 months, however he wasn’t licensed right here. Now he’s arising for licensing in December and he has had a further (check). The opposite check he had a CAT scan after the earlier battle. He has been cleared by all of the exams. He has been cleared by our chief medical advisor.” Whereas it’s unclear when the mind damage occurred, Chikadze has not competed in Nevada since a January 2022 loss to Calvin Kattar, through which he endured 127 strikes to the pinnacle. He’s fought as soon as exterior Nevada, an August victory over Alex Caceres in Singapore.
The mind damage listening to for Chikadze is the second in 4 months for knowledgeable MMA fighter in search of re-licensure in Nevada. UFC welterweight contender Vicente Luque went before the commission underneath related circumstances in July and obtained clearance for a mind bleed.
“Any time we’ve got an utility for a license with a combatant that has had a severe head damage, each time they need to be licensed from right here ahead, they’ve to come back earlier than the fee for approval,” Mullen mentioned.
The hearings are tied into state statute NAC 467.017, which states, “If an applicant for a license to interact in unarmed fight or an unarmed combatant has suffered a severe head damage, together with, however not restricted to, a cerebral hemorrhage, the applicant or unarmed combatant will need to have his or her utility for a license or for renewal of a license reviewed by the Fee earlier than a license is issued or renewed.”
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