UFC Fight Night 254 is set to take place on March 16, 2025, and its main event will feature the highly anticipated rematch between Italian fighter Marvin Vettori and Georgian Roman Dolidze at the UFC APEX arena in Las Vegas. This encounter has caught the attention of MMA fans and experts alike, primarily due to Vettori's previous victory over Dolidze, which took place back in March 2023 at UFC 286.
Marvin Vettori, holding a record of 19 wins, 7 losses, and 1 draw, currently ranks 8th among middleweights. He won their first face-off by unanimous decision, and he enters this bout seeking to solidify his spot among the elite fighters of the division. Vettori's most recent performance, which included three wins and three losses over his last six fights, has raised questions about his consistency since his championship title challenge against Israel Adesanya in 2021, which he lost by decision.
The stakes are particularly high for Dolidze as well. Currently ranked 12th with a record of 14 wins and 3 losses, he is riding on the momentum of two victories over seasoned veterans, defeating Anthony Smith and Kevin Holland. Dolidze hopes to leverage this momentum to avenge his earlier defeat to Vettori. Both fighters are now more seasoned and prepared for the rematch, making the upcoming fight one full of potential plot twists.
Vettori's physical condition has been his area of concern, particularly after recently recovering from shoulder surgery he underwent approximately 5-6 months ago. Despite these challenges, according to Andrey Orlovsky, an expert at Betera, Vettori is back training hard at American Top Team with his coaches, Mike Brown and Steve Mocco. "I suggest betting on Vettori's victory with odds of 1.65. I believe Vettori will win again honestly as he won the first fight by the slightest margin. He is training hard with my coaches. Although I am concerned about his recovery after shoulder surgery, he is physically strong and should win," Orlovsky said.
The rematch, set to be the main event of UFC Fight Night 254, will consist of five rounds of action. The fight card will also feature exciting bouts such as Chidi Njokuani against Elizeu Zaleski, and numerous undercard fights slated to begin on March 15 at 10 PM Kyiv time. The main card is set to start on March 16 at 1 AM Kyiv time, with Vettori and Dolidze expected to enter the octagon around 4 AM Kyiv time, providing ample coverage for its international fanbase.
UFC Fight Night events are available through UFC Fight Pass, and viewers from Ukraine can catch the action via Setanta Sports. The undercard includes matchups such as Alexander Hernandez versus Kurt Holobaugh, and Damon Blackshear against Cody Gibson, among others, promising varied entertainment throughout the night.
Among the undercard fights, rising prospects like Dyiar Nurgozhai will also seek to make their mark, debuting against Brendson Ribeiro. With a total of 13 fights scheduled for this exhilarating card, excitement is guaranteed as fighters look to cement their legacies and potential title aspirations.
With everything on the line and the potential for significant shifts in rankings, fans and analysts are eagerly speculating on the outcome of the rematch. Will Vettori secure another victory, or will Dolidze emerge as the new contender? These are questions stirring anticipation leading up to this thrilling contest.
Only time will tell, but with expert predictions leaning ever so slightly toward Vettori, it is sure to be a nail-biting experience for fans of mixed martial arts.