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Roman Dolidze targets two former champions for next fight after UFC Vegas 104 win

Roman Dolidze has a good idea regarding who he wants to face next

Zain Bando

Jun 18, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Roman Dolidze (red gloves) celebrates after defeating Kyle Daukaus (not pictured) during UFC Fight Night at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Jun 18, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Roman Dolidze (red gloves) celebrates after defeating Kyle Daukaus (not pictured) during UFC Fight Night at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images / Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

No. 12-ranked UFC middleweight Roman Dolidze's unanimous decision win Saturday night against No. 8-ranked Marvin Vettori not only exacted revenge for Dolidze but also gave him a sense of stability as he creeps toward the division's upper echelon.

During the UFC Vegas 104 post-fight presser, Dolidze (15-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) laid out where he fits in the title conversation while keeping an open jar of names he'd be keen to fight soon. The win against Vettori (19-7- MMA, 9-6-1 UFC) marked Dolidze's third straight, keeping his name in the mix as the year progresses.

Roman Dolidze Calls Out UFC Middleweight Mainstays

Roman Dolidze wants one of two former champs nex
Oct 5, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Roman Dolidze (red gloves) reacts after defeating Kevin Holland (not pictured) during UFC 307 at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Two names Dolidze has vested interest in are former UFC middleweight champions Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya. Not only are those two contenders prominent, but it would likely give Dolidze the resume boost he needs toward an eventual would-be title shot if more wins come about.

"Both of these guys have good names,” Dolidze told reporters Saturday night. “More important for me is the name. Of course Adesanya was more on the top and it would be better for me as a name to fight Adesanya, but Whittaker also was champion. He’s very good fighter. It’s not about personality or something. It’s all about name and quality of opponent. Adesanya will of course be better if we are talking about the more loud name.”

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Adesanya (24-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) has lost four of his last six, while Whittaker (26-8 MMA, 17-6 UFC) has remained on the doorstep of a title shot for the better part of three years but has yet to breakthrough for another shot at middleweight gold.

Although those are two names Dolidze is zeroing in on, he is open to other challengers as well.

Roman Dolidze Wants The Best Challengers Possible

Roman Dolidze will do what the UFC ask
Jun 28, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Roman Dolidze during weigh ins for UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

“[I’m] being realistic of who is ready and who needs [an] opponent," Dolidze said. "There are some guys who really deserve to fight for [the] title, like Caio [Borralho], like [Nassourdine] Imavov, also. There are a couple guys – good guys, and they are waiting and in line. If they will give me these guys, I’m ready. But there are [more] realistic fights and that’s why I said those names.”

No matter how it's drawn up, Dolidze should have a top-10 ranking next to his name this week at minimum as the middleweight division moves forward.

Top-ranked middleweight contender avenges previous loss in UFC Vegas 104 main event

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Zain Bando
ZAIN BANDO

Zain Bando is a writer for MMA Knockout, part of the Sports Illustrated/Minute Media umbrella. He has covered combat sports since 2019 for notable outlets BJPenn.com and FanSided MMA. He also co-hosts a podcast called "The MMA Outsiders," part of the Empty The Bench Podcast Network, which airs Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT. A Chicago suburban native, Bando has been enthralled with MMA since 2006 and has been fortunate to attend some of the most high-profile events in the sport's history, both as a fan and media member, including UFC 264, Bellator 297 and Kayla Harrison's PFL MMA debut. He is excited to take the next step in his combat sports writing journey and looks forward to continuing his following of the fight game for years to come. Bando can be reached via email at zainbando99@gmail.com or by social media @zainbando99

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