What’s Next For Roman Dolidze?

Roman Dolidze, the Georgian powerhouse known as “The Caucasian,” has solidified his status as a genuine middleweight contender following his unanimous points victory over Marvin Vettori on Saturday night in Las Vegas. After gaining revenge over the Italian with his latest win, we ask the question: What’s next for Roman Dolidze?

A Journey of Resilience and Redemption

Born on July 15, 1988, in Batumi, Georgia, he initially pursued a career in professional soccer, playing as a goalkeeper in Turkey before turning his attention to to mixed martial arts at the age of 28. After honing his skills in grappling and earning accolades such as the ADCC Asia & Oceania championship, Dolidze made his professional MMA debut in 2016. His success on the regional scene made the UFC pay attention, epsecially as he won WWFC light heavyweight title. He debuted for the UFC in July 2020 with a first-round TKO over Khadis Ibragimov.

Since then, Dolidze has compiled an 9-3 record in the UFC, showcasing his versatility and growth as a fighter. His recent win against Vettori was particularly significant—not only did it mark his third straight victory, but it also served as sweet revenge for a unanimous decision loss to the Italian at UFC 286 in March 2023. Also of note is the calibre of wins in his last three outings – Dolidze also beat Kevin Holland and Anthony Smith, two men with impressive wins on their resume. Dolidze outworked Vettori with a combination of precise striking and tactical pressure, earning scores of 49-46 across all three judges’ cards. The win on Saturday night is likely to propel him from #12 in the middleweight rankings into the top 10.

What’s Next for Dolidze?

Following his win over Vettori, Dolidze didn’t took to the mic in his post-fight interview to call out two of the middleweight division’s biggest names: former champions Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker. These callouts are ambitious yet strategic, reflecting Dolidze’s desire to leapfrog into title contention. Here’s why both fights make sense for the Georgian:

1. Israel Adesanya: The former two-time middleweight champion remains a marquee name despite recent setbacks, including a submission loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305 in August 2024. Adesanya, currently ranked No. 4 in the division, is likely plotting his return to reclaim the belt. A fight with Dolidze would pit “The Stylebender’s” elite striking against Dolidze’s raw power and grappling prowess. For Dolidze, defeating Adesanya would be a career-defining moment, vaulting him into the title picture.
2. Robert Whittaker: Ranked No. 5 (at the time of writing), a clash with Dolidze could be a logical next step as he looks to get his career back on track following a loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308. “The Reaper” is known for his impeccabel timing on the feet but also his general all-roundedness, would present a huge task for Dolidze. Defeating Whittaker position Dolidze, like win over Adesanya would, as a legitimate threat to the title.

With three consecutive wins and a forthcoming top-10 ranking in the middleweight division, 2025 could be his year. Whether it’s a showdown with Adesanya or Whittaker, a tactical war with Whittaker, or another top 10 guy like Cannonier or Caio Borralho, one thing is for certain: Dolidze must win his next fight to have any chance of becoming a UFC champion, given his age.