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Giga Chikadze injures groin, out of UFC 296 bout vs. Josh Emmett

UFC featherweight Giga Chikadze has withdrawn from his bout against Josh Emmett at UFC 296 later this month because of a torn groin, Chikadze announced on social media Monday.

The 145-pound bout was supposed to take place on the undercard of UFC 296 on Dec. 16 inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The UFC has not announced Chikadze's injury or a replacement.

Emmett (18-4) made it clear he wants to remain on the card, as he called for a new opponent on X. The 38-year-old is trying to turn his year around, having gone 0-2 so far in 2023.

The contest was flying somewhat under the radar for a matchup of two top-10 featherweights. Despite losing his past two, Emmett, of Sacramento, is still the No. 6-ranked featherweight in the UFC. He came into 2023 on a five-fight win streak and fought Yair Rodriguez for an interim title in February.

Chikadze, of the country Georgia, is ranked No. 8. He is 8-1 in the UFC.