Roman Dolidze 'being realistic' with Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker callouts after UFC Fight Night 254
LAS VEGAS – Roman Dolidze has set his sights on a pair of former champions after emerging from the UFC Fight Night 254 main event with his hand raised.
Dolidze (14-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) avenged a key career loss on Saturday when he outworked Marvin Vettori (19-7-1 MMA, 9-5-1 UFC) to a unanimous decision in their middleweight rematch at the UFC Apex. In the octagon, the Georgian said he is looking for a top five fight next, and called out ex-titleholders Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker.
After taking some time to digest the result, Dolidze went backstage to speak to reporters and doubled down on the callouts, explaining that he feels both matchups are logical given the state of the 185-pound division.
"Why not? All these guys need opponents," Dolidze told MMA Junkie and other media members. "They need to find somebody. They need to have some opponent. I don't care if it will be somebody else from top five, I'm also ready. I don't really care much. But I said more realistic fights because both of them lost. That's why I said I don't really care who it will be from the top five.
"(I'm) being realistic of who is ready and who needs opponent. There are some guys who really deserve to fight for title, like Caio (Borralho), like (Nassourdine) Imavov, also. There are a couple guys – good guys, and they are waiting and in line. If they will give me these guys, I'm ready. But there are most realistic fights and that's why I said those names."
Adesanya (24-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) is currently sitting on a three-fight losing skid with defeats to Sean Strickland, Dricus Du Plessis and most recently, a second-round knockout vs. Imavov in February. Whittaker (26-8 MMA, 17-6 UFC), meanwhile, is looking to bounce back from a 2024 Submission of the Year loss to Khamzat Chimaev in October.
Either fight coming to fruition would be a massive opportunity for Dolidze to put a signature win on his resume, but if he was given a choice, thinks Adesanya brings more value to his resume.
"Both of these guys have good names," Dolidze said. "More important for me is the name. Of course Adesanya was more on the top and it would be better for me as a name to fight Adesanya, but Whittaker also was champion. He's very good fighter. It's not about personality or something. It's all about name and quality of opponent. Adesanya will of course be better if we are talking about the more loud name."
Related
Roman Dolidze willing to give Marvin Vettori trilogy fight if UFC wants: 'Just out of respect'
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 254.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Roman Dolidze 'being realistic' with Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker callouts after UFC Fight Night 254
Topics
-
'Dolidze vs. Adesanya?': Fighters react to Roman Dolidze's victory over Marvin Vettori at UFC Fight Night 254
Roman Dolidze achieved the high point of his octagon career on Saturday when he avenged a key loss against Marvin Vettori in the UFC Fight Night 254 main event. After dropping a unanimous decision ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
UFC Fight Night 254 results: Roman Dolidze avenges loss to Marvin Vettori
Roman Dolidze has evened the score. In the UFC Fight Night 254 middleweight main event Saturday, Dolidze (14-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) defeated Marvin Vettori (19-7-1 MMA, 9-5-1 UFC) by unanimous decision ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Mick Maynard's Shoes: What's next for Roman Dolidze after UFC Fight Night 254 win?
(ALSO SEE: Mick Maynard's Shoes: What's next for Marvin Vettori after UFC Fight Night 254 loss?) Roman Dolidze avenged a key loss in his career Saturday when he defeated Marvin Vettori in their UFC ...Yahoo Sports - 16h -
UFC Fight Night results, highlights: Roman Dolidze avenges loss to Marvin Vettori in main event from Las Vegas
Dolidze tied his series with Vettori at one apiece after earning the decision on SaturdayCBS Sports - 1d -
Roman Dolidze willing to give Marvin Vettori trilogy fight if UFC wants: 'Just out of respect'
LAS VEGAS – Roman Dolidze is relieved to get one back. At UFC Fight Night 254, Dolidze (15-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) avenged a March 2023 loss when he defeated Marvin Vettori (19-8-1 MMA, 9-6-1 UFC) via ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
UFC Fight Night 254 video: Marvin Vettori, Roman Dolidze make weight in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS – The main event for the UFC's last of three straight weeks in "Sin City" is official after the headliners made weight Friday. Ahead of UFC Fight Night 254 (ESPN+), which takes place ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
UFC Vegas 104 results: Roman Dolidze avenges loss to Marvin Vettori in punishing rematch
Dolidze called for one of Robert Whittaker or Israel Adesanya for his next fight.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze 2 prediction, pick: Will UFC Fight Night 254 rematch be different?
MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom goes in-depth to break down the biggest fights in the UFC. Today, he takes a closer look at the UFC Fight Night 254's main event rematch between Marvin Vettori and Roman ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Mick Maynard's Shoes: What's next for Marvin Vettori after UFC Fight Night 254 loss?
(ALSO SEE: Mick Maynard's Shoes: What's next for Roman Dolidze after UFC Fight Night 254 win?) Marvin Vettori has entered a new career struggle after dropping his rematch against Roman Dolidze in ...Yahoo Sports - 15h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Pat Connaughton/Blake Wesley NBA Tracker: March 10-16
For the first time in a few weeks, we have game action to report for both players.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Alabama basketball’s March Madness opponent is Green Bay to open NCAA Tournament bracket
It’s Alabama vs. Green Bay in March Madness to open its 2025 NCAA Tournament women’s bracket. Here’s what to know about the first-round game.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Can Notre Dame women reach Final Four in March Madness? Our prediction
Let's assess whether the Irish can make it to the final weekend of the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Players Championship live updates: How to watch Rory McIlroy-J.J. Spaun playoff, format
Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun have three holes and each other between them and the 2025 Players Championship title.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Broncos trade up for RB Ashton Jeanty in NFL mock draft
Fox Sports has the Broncos trading up for RB Ashton Jeanty in this NFL mock draft.Yahoo Sports - 11m
More in Sports
-
Pat Connaughton/Blake Wesley NBA Tracker: March 10-16
For the first time in a few weeks, we have game action to report for both players.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Alabama basketball’s March Madness opponent is Green Bay to open NCAA Tournament bracket
It’s Alabama vs. Green Bay in March Madness to open its 2025 NCAA Tournament women’s bracket. Here’s what to know about the first-round game.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Can Notre Dame women reach Final Four in March Madness? Our prediction
Let's assess whether the Irish can make it to the final weekend of the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Players Championship live updates: How to watch Rory McIlroy-J.J. Spaun playoff, format
Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun have three holes and each other between them and the 2025 Players Championship title.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Broncos trade up for RB Ashton Jeanty in NFL mock draft
Fox Sports has the Broncos trading up for RB Ashton Jeanty in this NFL mock draft.Yahoo Sports - 11m