Giga Chikadze has been named the 2022 recipient of the Forrest Griffin Community Award.
The UFC featherweight is being recognized by the promotion for his charity work assisting individuals fighting cancer. The news was announced on Saturday night during the UFC Fight Night 206 broadcast. Chikadze (14-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC) will receive a $25,000 donation to the charity of his choice.
“Giga is a great role model for athletes who want to help those in need by giving back to their community,” UFC President Dana White said in a press release. “Giga sets a perfect example by making a positive impact on his community by helping those affected by cancer with anything they need, while staying out of the spotlight. He understands that it’s not about publicity, it’s just the right thing to do. It’s an honor to present him with this award.”
The award, which was created in 2020 and named after former UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin, annually recognizes a UFC athlete for his or her exceptional volunteer and charity work and the meaningful impact their efforts have on the community.
Chikadze will be honored with this award during the 2022 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which is set to take place on June 30 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
In 2014, Chikadze and his sister, Keso, established “The Knockout Cancer Foundation,” a non-profit organization with the mission of assisting individuals fighting cancer with financial support for medical bills, chemotherapy, and medical evaluations. The siblings launched their charity following the death of their mother, Nino, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2013.
Since starting their foundation, the Chikadze’s have launched a series of campaigns to help raise funds for families located in the United States, Armenia, Cuba, Haiti, Ukraine, and their native Georgia, supplying financial support and facilitating donation assistance for more than 200 individuals during their cancer treatments.