UFC middleweight Roman Dolidze asked for and got another shot at Marvin Vettori, but this time at UFC Vegas 104 on Saturday night.
“I didn’t expect that they would offer me exactly this fight. When they told me his name I said, ‘You know my answer. Just go back and as Vettori’. And now we’re fighting,” Dolidze told reporters on Wednesday.
Dolidze (14-3) has fought the Italian before in 2023 at UFC 286 where he fell short by decision. A decision that many, including Dolize, did not agree with.
“I think I still won last fight. I never had nothing against my opponents, but I don’t agree with the decision the judges made,” he said.
“One thing I can probably change (from) back then (to) now I was fighting more with anger. Now I understand what I need to do to just win this fight. I’m ready for any of what he can offer.”
The first fight was part of the undercard on a PPV, but now the main event at the UFC APEX requires a five-round bout. The change from 3 to 5 rounds from the first fight forced a bit of a strategy change for Dolidze.
“I understand that it’s five rounds. I need to manage my energy. This fight probably can go (the same way as the first fight). He will move around, I will keep chasing him, but nobody knows what can happen. I’m ready for anything of what he can offer to me,” he said.
Dolidze comes off a TKO victory over Kevin Holland at UFC 307 after his opponent suffered a rib injury. To expect the same against Vettori is a tough ask.
“I was hoping (for) better. It was rib injury. Vettori’s tough guy. I know him outside of the fight for me it’s more important what kind of person you are outside the fight. He’s a good guy. I know him very well,” he said.
“I know that he’s tough. I know that nobody finished him before, ever, and of course I want to be the first.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Roman Dolidze above. He takes on Marvin Vettori at UFC Vegas 104 in the main event on Saturday night.
