Kings MMA Coach Rafael Cordeiro Gives Timetable for Giga Chikadze’s UFC Return

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Kings MMA coach Rafael Cordeiro is expecting a busy campaign in 2023.

In addition to his duties as a renowned MMA coach, Cordeiro is now overseeing multiple affiliate gyms in Brazil.

“I always dreamed about the expansion of Kings MMA in Brazil, and this year I was able to open four branches in Sao Paulo (Campinas, Alphaville and Cotia) and one in Brasilia,” Cordeiro told Sherdog.com.

In a wide-ranging interview, Cordeiro touched on a variety of subjects involving numerous fighters — both past and present. The trainer was disappointed to learn of Kelvin Gastelum’s last-minute withdrawal from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 217 headliner against Nassourdine Imavov. Though Gastelum no longer trains at Kings MMA, he maintains a good relationship with Cordeiro.

"Oh my God. My conclusion is that this fight shouldn't happen, since this is the second time Gastelum withdrew on fight week. First time was his knee, now his mouth. I'm really upset with that news,” Cordeiro said. “Kevin is living in Arizona and training [at Fight Ready with Henry Cejudo] now, but we are always in contact. I love him. He is an amazing kid and such a great talent and I’ll keep trying to convince him to go down to the welterweight division.”

According to Cordeiro, Giga Chikadze, who fought just once in 2022 due to injuries, is expected to return to action against Sodiq Yusuff in April. Chikadze was originally slated to face Yusuff on Sept. 17.

"He had four surgeries in eight months (hand, face, elbow and nose),” Cordeiro said. “But now he is 100% and ready to start the camp.”

Another Kings MMA fighter currently in camp is Neiman Gracie, who is hoping to rebound from a two-fight skid when he meets Michael Lombardo at Bellator 290 on Feb. 4. Cordeiro believes the former welterweight title challenger is still improving as a fighter.

"When you are at the top of the mountain, losses and wins are part of the evolving process. The most important thing is that he is a hard worker, and every time he is more complete,” Cordeiro said. “Against Lombardo you can expect a much more well-rounded Neiman.”

When it comes to the UFC lightweight division, Cordeiro isn’t opposed to having Beneil Dariush square off against ex-champ Charles Oliveira this year. However, the preferred next step for Dariush would be a 155-pound title shot.

     “[Beneil] is coming off eight straight wins. It would make complete sense to have him against Charles. But our main goal is the title shot,” Cordeiro said.

Cordeiro will be watching the lightweight title bout between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski carefully, as it could affect the strategy for Dariush down the road.

"Certainly Volkanovski will bring different questions to Islam, and that will be important for us in order to work on a game plan for Beni, who has a diferent style than Charles,” he said.

Cordeiro also addressed the future of Mike Tyson. The Kings MMA trainer previously worked with the boxing legend for his exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020.

"For now he is just training for fun and taking care of his brand, Tyson 2.0,” Cordeiro said. “But proposals never stop coming for him. We can never forget that Tyson spent 15 years without putting a boxing glove. One day he decided to hit mitts and it inspired him to return to the ring.”

While Tyson doesn’t have any plans to fight soon, Cordeiro revealed that Fabricio Werdum’s combat sports career has not reached its end.

“I'm not authorized to give details, but he is very close to accept a superfight proposal,” Cordeiro said of Werdum.

As the first master of Mauricio Rua, Cordeiro regrets that he won’t be able to be in Shogun’s corner for his farewell fight at UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro on Jan. 21.

"He is doing his last camp in Curitiba … Unfortunately I have many fighters busy in January and won’t be in his corner, but my soul will be there with him,” Cordeiro said. “I´m so proud to follow ‘Shogun’ from white belt until Pride and UFC belts. I have no doubt he is one of the best in MMA history … Definitely ‘Shogun’s’ name will be remembered as one of the best in our sport.”