The UFC’s swan song for 2025—and the current ESPN broadcasting partnership—unfolds at the Apex with a flyweight eliminator headlining Brandon Royval against Manel Kape. The co-main event steals the spotlight as a generational featherweight clash: No. 15-ranked veteran Giga Chikadze seeks to snap a two-fight skid against surging 24-year-old prospect Kevin Vallejos, who eyes his third straight UFC win and a rankings breakthrough. This 12-fight card blends ranked intrigue with debuts, closing the year on a technical note. Below is an exhaustive preview, zeroing in on Chikadze vs. Vallejos, with logistics and wagering breakdowns.
Injury Report
As of December 9, 2025, the card is fully operational, with Chikadze vs. Vallejos unaffected. Chikadze (37) is cleared after past issues (including a 2022 knee surgery and recent weight miss in April vs. Onama, fined but no lasting effects); he reports peak form post-camp. Vallejos enters unscathed following his August unanimous decision over Danny Silva (no post-fight flags). The event’s history includes Royval’s prior concussions (managed) and a November prelim cut swap (resolved).
Fighter Matchups: Giga Chikadze vs. Kevin Vallejos (Featherweight, 3 Rounds)A classic old-vs.-new co-main: Chikadze’s kickboxing mastery and 6″ reach edge test Vallejos’ explosive volume and grappling transitions. Chikadze (3.82 significant strikes/min, 42% accuracy) thrives at range with jabs and leg kicks, boasting a 65% takedown defense. Vallejos (high-output 1-2s, 2.0 takedowns/15 min) pressures with pace, absorbing just 3.48 strikes/min but vulnerable to counters (exposed in his lone loss to Jean Silva). At 37 vs. 24, experience vs. athleticism—featherweight co-mains finish 55%; model projects 62% decision, with Vallejos’ youth tilting late rounds.
Giga “Ninja” Chikadze (15-5-0, Tbilisi, Georgia/Huntington Beach, CA, USA; Age: 37; Height: 6’0″; Reach: 74″; Stance: Orthodox)
A former Glory Kickboxing contender at X3 Sports, Chikadze is a distance manager with devastating kicks (5 Fight of the Night bonuses). His 60% striking defense shines vs. aggressors, but recent decisions highlight fading power.
Kevin “El Chino” Vallejos (16-1-0, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Age: 24; Height: 5’7″; Reach: 68″; Stance: Orthodox)
DWCS Class of 2024 alum at Ce.jis, Vallejos blends Muay Thai power with BJJ (1.5 subs/15 min). His 70% finish rate includes two UFC TKOs, but height disadvantage could force clinch risks.
Key Styles Clash: Chikadze’s calf kicks and teeps vs. Vallejos’ forward pressure and body shots. Chikadze leads common foes 1-0 (both beat lower-tier strikers), but Vallejos’ cardio favors wars—prediction: Vallejos volume UD if standing, Chikadze KO if he stuffs takedowns.
Recent Form
Chikadze chases redemption from back-to-back decisions, while Vallejos builds hype on a five-fight tear.
| Fighter | Last 5 Fights | Form Notes |
| Giga Chikadze | L-UD3 (Onama, Apr 2025) L-UD3 (Allen, Oct 2024) W-TKO3 (Landwehr, Jul 2023) W-TKO3 (Barboza, Jan 2022) W-TKO1 (Swanson, Nov 2020) | 1-2 skid; all decisions in losses (absorbed 49 strikes vs. Onama). Elite range (3.82 SLpM), but 0 finishes since 2023. Camp stresses TD drills post-Onama. |
| Kevin Vallejos | W-UD3 (Silva, Aug 2025) W-KO1 (Choi, Mar 2025) W-KO1 (Teague, DWCS Sep 2024) W-TKO2 (Regional, 2024) L-KO1 (Silva, 2023) | 4-1 run; 75% finishes post-loss. UFC 2-0 with volume (90 strikes vs. Silva). Youthful pace; refining anti-kick defense in camp. |
Fight History
Giga Chikadze (Pro Debut: 2016): Glory vet to UFC 2019 (8-3 UFC). Total fight time: ~68 minutes across 20 bouts. Strengths: KO rate (60%), reach leverage. Weaknesses: Grappling (33% TD acc.), age (37, 2 DEC losses in 2024-25).
Kevin Vallejos (Pro Debut: 2019): Argentine circuit to DWCS/UFC 2024 (2-0 UFC). Total fight time: ~45 minutes across 17 bouts. Strengths: Output (high SLpM), transitions (2 UFC wins). Weaknesses: Reach deficit (lost sole elite matchup), decisions rare (25%).
FIGHT ODDS
Giga Chikadze + 220
Kevin Vallejos – 270
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, December 12, 2025
