Roman Dolidze doesn’t thoughts taking pictures his shot, however he’s additionally good sufficient to know what sort of opponent he’s extra prone to get after his win over Marvin Vettori within the UFC Vegas 104 important occasion.
That’s why the Georgian middleweight named former champions Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker as two excellent opponents for his subsequent battle. Not as a result of he sees both of them as a simple goal a lot much less unattainable based mostly on his personal standing within the division, however slightly as a result of he is aware of Adesanya and Whittaker can be found with out a battle booked presently and each are ready the place it’s going to be troublesome to show down any opponent the UFC gives them.
“All these guys want opponents,” Dolidze stated on the UFC Vegas 104 post-fight press convention. “They should battle any person. They should have some opponent. I don’t care if [it’s] any person else from the highest 5. I’m additionally prepared. I don’t actually care a lot.
“However I stated extra real looking fights as a result of each of them are [coming off] losses and that’s why I stated. I don’t actually care who it will likely be from the highest 5.”
Dolidze makes a superb level with Adesanya coming off of three straight losses after falling to Sean Strickland, Dricus du Plessis and Nassourdine Imavov. In the meantime, Whittaker hasn’t fought since getting his enamel shattered by Khamzat Chimaev this previous October at UFC 308.
Technically, there are different potential opponents additional down the rankings ladder, however Dolidze thinks a few of these names are most likely searching for a title shot or probably a No. 1 contender’s battle. In that occasion, Dolidze gained’t stand in anyone’s approach by asking for a battle the UFC is unlikely to present him.
“Practical. Being real looking who is prepared and who wants an opponent,” Dolidze stated. “As a result of there are some guys who actually should battle for the title like Caio [Borralho], [Nassourdine] Imavov additionally. There are a few guys. Good guys. They’re ready and they’re in line.
“If they are going to give me these guys, I’m prepared anyhow. However they’re extra real looking fights and that’s why I stated these names.”
Reality be instructed, Dolidze doesn’t have a choice with regards to his subsequent battle if the UFC gives him any person ranked within the high 5 at middleweight. The 36-year-old veteran understands how a lot stylistic matchups, title worth, and previous accomplishments play into how a lot a win issues within the UFC.
So in an ideal world, Dolidze would get the prospect to face Adesanya, undoubtedly nonetheless one of many largest stars within the sport and one which Dolidze views as a enjoyable battle.
“Each of those guys have good names,” Dolidze stated. “Extra essential for me the title. After all, Adesanya was extra on the highest and it will be higher for me, for my title to battle Adesanya. However Whittaker was additionally a champion. He’s effectively expert, an excellent fighter. It’s not about character or one thing. It’s all about title and high quality of opponent.
“Adesanya will in fact shall be higher if we’re telling extra a couple of loud title. After all, Adesanya, he’s extra of a striker. Very quick. Harmful. Adesanya shall be higher most likely.”
