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

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Roman Dolidze Calls Out UFC Legends After Exacting Revenge At UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Dolidze

Roman Dolidze was ready after the win at UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Dolidze to call out his next opponent!

The middleweight division of the UFC has always been a battlefield of titans. From Anderson Silva’s historic reign to Israel Adesanya’s striking mastery, the 185-pound weight class never lacks excitement. Fighters claw their way up the rankings through blood and sweat. Each victory brings them closer to gold. Each defeat sends them back to the drawing board. In this highly competitive landscape, Roman Dolidze has been quietly building his case as a serious contender.

The Georgian fighter had a score to settle at UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Dolidze. Back in 2023, Marvin Vettori handed Dolidze a defeat at UFC 286. That loss stung. It halted his momentum. It pushed him down the rankings. He had waited over a year for his chance to even the score with ‘The Italian Dream.’

WHAT A BATTLE 👏@RomanDolidzeUFC is leaving #UFCVegas104 with a unanimous decision victory! pic.twitter.com/xcm7n08rSd
— UFC (@ufc) March 16, 2025

When the cage door closed this time, Dolidze came prepared with a different game plan. While Vettori relied on his usual volume striking approach, the Georgian countered with powerful hooks and kicks. The Italian might have landed more shots statistically. Dolidze made his count with greater impact. His right hook repeatedly found its mark. Each connection seemed to shift the momentum in his favor. The judges saw what everyone else did. Dolidze’s revenge tour was successful with a unanimous decision victory.

Also Read: Why Is Marvin Vettori Called ‘The Italian Dream’? Marvin Vettori’s Nickname Explained!

Roman Dolidze’s Makes A Case For Legendary Opponent

Roman Dolidze was hyped after his win over the ‘Italian Dream’ and he had some opponents in mind. Rather than calling out someone ranked close to him, Dolidze aimed straight for the stars.

“There are two realistic fights for me. It’s Whittaker or Adesanya. Let’s go. Just give me date,” he said in his post-fight interview.

🗣️ "It's Whittaker or Adesanya next!" #UFCVegas104 @RomanDolidzeUFC shoots his shot 👀 pic.twitter.com/EmfCZzSUMt
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) March 16, 2025

At 36 years old, Roman Dolidze knows the championship window doesn’t stay open forever as the middleweight clock ticks louder each day. This explains his ambitious callouts. Why waste time with gradual steps when you can leap toward the top? It is a bold move, but sometimes boldness pays off in the UFC.

It remains to be seen whether Dana White grants him a fight against Israel Adesanya or Robert Whittaker? The matchmaking logic of the UFC often follows its own mysterious rules. But one thing’s certain. Roman Dolidze has put the middleweight division on notice. He is not here to make up the numbers. He is hunting to be the king of the middleweight mountain.

(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)

Israel Adesanya

Marvin Vettori

Robert Whittaker

Roman Dolidze

UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Dolidze

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!