Roman Dolidze has spent much of his UFC career bouncing between middleweight and light heavyweight, but this time the move back to 205 pounds is about more than finding a new home.
Ahead of his UFC Sacramento matchup with Reinier de Ridder on Saturday night, Dolidze believes leaving the cut to 185 behind could help his health, extend his career and allow him to show the best version of himself inside the cage.
“It was how I was feeling my body. Mentally I’m always ready to cut weight, nothing can stop me, it’s all mental game I think. How I was gaining weight back and how I was in the fight, I didn’t like myself,” Dolidze told reporters on Wednesday.
“It’s why I fought, to prolong my career, I think it’s much better to move up weight class. Started (at) 205 in UFC. I had two fights and after moved to 185, fought one time, back with Anthony Smith. I think it’s smart decision to fight 205 for my health.”
Dolidze has spent time competing at both middleweight and light heavyweight, but he doesn’t believe the weight class changes who he is inside the cage. Whether he’s fighting at 185 or 205 pounds, Dolidze carries the same mentality with him.
“There is no difference, I am who I am, and I’m always fighter. No matter what’s going on in my life or how things are going. I’m fighting for life, not for fighting,” he said.
Fighter burnout can become a real concern after years of training camps and fights, but Dolidze took an unusual path into MMA. After getting a late start and skipping the amateur ranks entirely, he hopes that when his body and mind finally tell him it’s time to stop, he’ll be willing to listen.
“I never had amateur career. (I went) directly pro. First fight, pro fight. First time in my life I wear gloves probably I was 27-years-old. 28 was first fight where I fought MMA professional. In two years, only 6 fights, I signed with UFC,” he said.
“That’s all my career. I hope I will have enough (will power) when it will be time to say stop Roman. I never have stop in my head, but I hope I will understand the right time.”
As for what comes after UFC Sacramento, Dolidze isn’t spending much time thinking about specific names. After years of facing top competition, he believes whoever comes next is simply another opponent standing in his way.
“They are all opponents, my future opponents, of course. I don’t really care what is their name, but all these guys are my opponents. Already I’m fighting only top guys probably 4 years. Only top guys, top level,” he said.
“Who cares who’s next.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Roman Dolidze above. He faces Reinier de Ridder at UFC Sacramento on Saturday night.
