Roman Dolidze doesn’t thoughts capturing his shot, however he’s additionally sensible 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 important occasion.
That’s why the Georgian middleweight named former champions Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker as two very best opponents for his subsequent struggle. Not as a result of he sees both of them as a straightforward goal a lot much less unattainable primarily based on his personal standing within the division, however slightly as a result of he is aware of Adesanya and Whittaker can be found with no struggle booked presently and each are able the place it’s going to be troublesome to show down any opponent the UFC affords them.
“All these guys want opponents,” Dolidze mentioned on the UFC Vegas 104 post-fight press convention. “They should struggle anyone. They should have some opponent. I don’t care if [it’s] anyone else from the highest 5. I’m additionally prepared. I don’t actually care a lot.
“However I mentioned extra practical 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 superb 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 enamel 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 in search of a title shot or presumably a No. 1 contender’s struggle. In that occasion, Dolidze gained’t stand in anyone’s method by asking for a struggle the UFC is unlikely to provide him.
“Life like. Being practical who is prepared and who wants an opponent,” Dolidze mentioned. “As a result of there are some guys who actually should struggle 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 in any case. However they’re extra practical fights and that’s why I mentioned these names.”
Fact be advised, Dolidze doesn’t have a choice relating to his subsequent struggle if the UFC affords him anyone ranked within the prime 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 largest stars within the sport and one which Dolidze views as a enjoyable struggle.
“Each of those guys have good names,” Dolidze mentioned. “Extra vital for me the identify. In fact, Adesanya was extra on the highest and it might be higher for me, for my identify to struggle Adesanya. However Whittaker was additionally a champion. He’s nicely expert, an excellent fighter. It’s not about character 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 couple of loud identify. In fact, Adesanya, he’s extra of a striker. Very quick. Harmful. Adesanya might be higher in all probability.”
