ONE Fight Night 10: Zebaztian Kadestam Shocks with Second-Round KO of Roberto Soldic

Roberto Soldic and Zebaztian Kadestam, ONE Fight Night 10
Roberto Soldic and Zebaztian Kadestam, ONE Fight Night 10 Credit: ONE Championship

Former KSW double-champ Roberto Soldic had his ONE Championship debut spoiled in December, after a low blow left him unable to continue in his fight with Murad Ramazanov.

At ONE Fight Night 10 in Broomfield, Co on Friday, Soldic, who had claimed welterweight and middleweight gold under the KSW banner, got the chance at a do-over in a fight with Zebaztian Kadestam — a former welterweight champion in ONE Championship.

Per ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, the winner of Soldic vs. Kadestam would go on to fight for an interim title in the absence of Christian Lee, who was stepping away to grieve the loss of sister Victoria.

Soldic held center early, with Kadestam working kicks from the outside, circling. Soldic’s left hand was cocked, and it connected a couple of times in the opening minute. Kadestam stayed mobile, but that left would send him retreating soon enough, until a low blow by Soldic paused the action, though for just a few seconds.

Back underway, Kadestam fired a couple of high kicks, neither of which landed clean. Soldic then backed him up to the fence, firing his left. Left hand after left hand, with little answer from Sweden’s Kadestam, had him on his bike. If nothing else, Kadestam was circling away from Soldic’s power, and looking to slip high kicks over the left. Little was landing for him, outside of a kick to the midsection at the buzzer.

Round two saw Kadestam flip the script and then some. He caught Soldic early with an elbow, and poured on the offense! The onslaught did not let up, with Kadestam tagging and dropping Soldic several times. At least twice, Soldic struggled back to his feet only to be rocked again. Ref Herb Dean gave the Croatian star every opportunity, but soon enough the writing was on the wall. Soldic ate a knee seated, and the fight was done.

Official Result: Zebaztian Kadestam def. Roberto Soldic by knockout, Round 2, 0:45