LAS VEGAS – Roman Dolidze is relieved to get one back. At UFC Vegas 104, Dolidze (15-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) avenged his March 2023 loss when he defeated Marvin Vettori (19-8-1 MMA, 9-6-1 UFC) via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46). It’s a performance Dolidze is proud of.
“Any win is a good win, but one over Vettori is very important because I wanted to take my win back, what they took away from me in London,” Dolidze said. “I hope my opponent will get well soon. He’s a strong, durable fighter. I knew for anybody it’s tough and hard to finish him. I was ready for five rounds, if needed. And as you can see, I worked five rounds hard. That was important for me.”
The fight, held at the UFC Apex, was characterized by Dolidze’s tactical adjustments compared to their first meeting two years prior. While the first matchup saw Vettori edge him out by unanimous decision, this encounter marked Dolidze’s emergence as a dominant force.
The first two rounds began with both fighters engaging at close quarters, but by the championship rounds, it became evident Dolidze had found his rhythm. A pivotal moment came when Dolidze landed a flush knee strike near Vettori’s eye, causing significant damage and turning the fight's momentum.
The final statistics revealed Dolidze outlanded Vettori 134 to 105 in total strikes, showcasing greater efficacy and control throughout the five rounds. Notably, Dolidze had been warned about eye pokes prior to the second round, yet he managed to maintain focus and executed his strategy effectively during the fight.
Vettori, who had been nursing shoulder injuries and hadn’t fought since June 2023, struggled to find his rhythm against the relentless Dolidze. Despite demonstrating moments of aggression, Vettori couldn’t keep pace with Dolidze's output.
“This fight was very important for me mentally, to show I can go five hard rounds. I deserve a top-five fight, 100 percent. There are two realistic fights for me: [Robert] Whittaker and [Israel] Adesanya,” Dolidze stated post-fight, clearly establishing his aspirations after securing this victory.
The buildup to the rematch was particularly intense, with Vettori previously defeating Dolidze by unanimous decision at UFC 286. Since then, Dolidze has rebounded impressively, stringing together wins against Anthony Smith and Kevin Holland prior to this fight.
Vettori, on the other hand, faced criticisms following his loss to Jared Cannonier after absorbing 249 significant strikes, setting a record for the most absorbed strikes without securing victory. Now, with two consecutive losses, questions arise about his future trajectories within the division.
During the fight, Vettori displayed moments of promise, including wobbly Dolidze with combinations, yet he seemed to fade as the rounds progressed, highlighting the challenge of returning to fight shape after prolonged inactivity.
After the fight, several peers shared their reactions on social media. Former champion Henry Cejudo remarked, “Great display of improvement and resilience by Roman Dolidze. Top 10!” Dominick Cruz noted the fight’s significance, emphasizing the adjustments each fighter needed to make after their first meeting.
Overall, this victory is significant for Dolidze as he continues to carve his path through the middleweight division, and sets the stage for potentially high-profile fights against elite opponents.
Meanwhile, the fight card also featured other promising matchups, with Chidi Njokuani moving back to welterweight and securing his third straight win, this time via TKO against Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos, showcasing his own potential as he progresses through the ranks.
Njokuani, who missed weight for the bout, nonetheless dominated, ending the fight with decisive knees and follow-up strikes. His victory came just two nights ago, as he has transitioned back effectively after his previous weight struggles.
The evening featured other notable bouts, including Alexander Hernandez's unanimous decision victory over Kurt Holobaugh and Da'Mon Blackshear's submission win against Cody Gibson. These results contribute to the overall excitement and development of the UFC's competitive landscapes across divisions.
The blend of thrilling matchups and Dolidze's significant victory marks UFC Vegas 104 as another milestone event. Dolidze's performance not only avenged his previous loss but also positioned him for future high-stakes encounters. With the middleweight division as competitive as ever, fans eagerly await to see how he capitalizes on this momentum.