LAS VEGAS - On March 15, 2025, the UFC returned to Las Vegas for UFC Vegas 104, headlined by a much-anticipated middleweight rematch between Italy's Marvin Vettori and Georgia's Roman Dolidze. The two fighters squared off for the second time, two years after Vettori claimed victory by unanimous decision at UFC 286.
Fighting for relevance within the middleweight division, Dolidze (14-3) utilized lessons learned from his previous encounter with Vettori to control his aggression during the match. "It was a big and important test for me," he expressed to Michael Bisping after the fight. Dolidze acknowledged he fought aggressively last time but aimed for strategic control this round.
Vettori (19-7-1), returning to the Octagon after more than 21 months sidelined due to shoulder surgery, was eager for redemption following his last outing, where he lost to Jared Cannonier. "I've matured during my time off," said Vettori. "I was caught up with tunnel vision when I was younger. I wanted to take every fight thrown at me, but this time it's different."
The fight began with both contenders displaying their skills, but it became apparent early on how much Dolidze had grown as he applied pressure to Vettori. Throughout their first meeting, the stats showed Vettori had outstruck Dolidze significantly—landing 106 out of 218 significant strikes compared to Dolidze's 71 out of 192. This time, the dynamic shifted as Dolidze landed 141 of 338 significant strikes to Vettori's 111 of 220, securing the judges' favor with scores of 49-46 all around.
Despite evidence of his fighting effectiveness, Dolidze believed the first fight was wrongly judged. He reflected, "Go back and watch the fight. You’ll understand who was angry and who wasn't. I was always going forward. He played it smart, though; he didn't want to engage as much with me." Vettori's strategy of landing precision strikes often kept Dolidze at bay, but the Georgian showed improved pacing and control throughout the five-round contest, leading to his victory.
With the win, Dolidze rides high on a three-fight winning streak and immediately called out high-profile opponents, targeting Robert Whittaker or Israel Adesanya for his next bout. "I could fight again in just a few days if they let me," he asserted after earning this significant victory.
For Vettori, the defeat raises questions about his future, with speculation about whether he might retire after two consecutive losses, including his struggle to adapt following major surgery. Once ranked as high as No. 8, Vettori's recent performances have left fans and pundits questioning his path moving forward.
The Fight Night event also featured several noteworthy undercard fights, including Chidi Njokuani taking on Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos, where Njokuani triumphed by TKO early in the second round. Other matches included Alexander Hernandez defeating Kurt Holobaugh by unanimous decision, and Da'Mon Blackshear securing submission victory over Cody Gibson with a kimura.
Overall, UFC Vegas 104 highlighted not only the skills of its main event participants but also the developing narratives surrounding them. With Dolidze stepping closer to title contention and Vettori reassessing his career after enduring injuries and losses, the night provided thrilling moments for UFC fans.
Looking at the full fight card results, Roman Dolidze's victory has solidified his place as a serious contender, inviting new challenges as he aims to climb the ranks. With uncertainty looming over Vettori’s next steps, the middleweight division is as dynamic as ever.
UFC Vegas 104 showcased how fighters evolve and adapt within the sport, and both Dolidze and Vettori's journeys will remain closely watched as the fight game continues. For now, the spotlight shines brightly on Dolidze, whose next match may prove pivotal for his career ambitions.