Roman Dolidze doesn’t thoughts taking pictures his shot, however he’s additionally good sufficient to know what sort of opponent he’s extra more likely to get after his win over Marvin Vettori within the UFC Vegas 104 foremost occasion.
That’s why the Georgian middleweight named former champions Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker as two superb opponents for his subsequent battle. Not as a result of he sees both of them as a straightforward goal a lot much less unattainable based mostly on his personal standing within the division, however reasonably as a result of he is aware of Adesanya and Whittaker can be found and not using a battle booked at present and each are able the place it’s going to be tough to show down any opponent the UFC gives them.
“All these guys want opponents,” Dolidze mentioned on the UFC Vegas 104 post-fight press convention. “They should battle someone. They should have some opponent. I don’t care if [it’s] someone else from the highest 5. I’m additionally prepared. I don’t actually care a lot.
“However I mentioned extra sensible fights as a result of each of them are [coming off] losses and that’s why I mentioned. I don’t actually care who it is going to be from the highest 5.”
Dolidze makes a great 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 tooth 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 in all probability searching for a title shot or probably a No. 1 contender’s battle. In that occasion, Dolidze gained’t stand in anyone’s means by asking for a battle the UFC is unlikely to offer him.
“Real looking. Being sensible who is prepared and who wants an opponent,” Dolidze mentioned. “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 sensible fights and that’s why I mentioned these names.”
Fact be instructed, Dolidze doesn’t have a choice on the subject of his subsequent battle if the UFC gives him someone ranked within the high 5 at middleweight. The 36-year-old veteran understands how a lot stylistic matchups, identify 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 greatest stars within the sport and one which Dolidze views as a enjoyable battle.
“Each of those guys have good names,” Dolidze mentioned. “Extra necessary for me the identify. In fact, Adesanya was extra on the highest and it might be higher for me, for my identify to battle Adesanya. However Whittaker was additionally a champion. He’s effectively expert, an excellent fighter. It’s not about persona or one thing. It’s all about identify and high quality of opponent.
“Adesanya will in fact might be higher if we’re telling extra a few loud identify. In fact, Adesanya, he’s extra of a striker. Very quick. Harmful. Adesanya might be higher in all probability.”
