Roman Dolidze 'being realistic' with Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker callouts after UFC Fight Night 254
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.'
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 254.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Rising UFC Heavyweight Busted For Steroids, Gets 1-Year Ban
Alvin Hines, a Minnesota-born heavyweight who entered the UFC with an undefeated record on the regional circuit, has been handed a one-year suspension after testing positive for multiple banned substances. According to Hines' samples contained Drostanolone (muscle hardening and strength), its metabolite 3a-Hydroxy-2a-methyl-5a-androstan-17-one (extended anabolic effect), testosterone metabolites (increased recovery and power), and a Tamoxifen metabolite, 3-Hydroxy-4-methoxytamoxifen (post-cycle masking agent). All three substances are prohibited by the UFC Anti-Doping Program without exception. There doesn't appear to be much of a dispute about the validity of the tests finding. Hines didn't just pop after his lone fight in the UFC. The 33-year-old tested positive on three separate occasions: out-of-competition in Minnesota, in-competition in Las Vegas, and again out-of-competition in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The evidence suggested that his use of these substances predated his UFC signing, though he failed to disclose them during the onboarding process. Hines aka Goozie made his UFC debut on June 28 at UFC 317 in Las Vegas, dropping a fight to Jhonata Diniz. Despite the loss in the fight–which he took on short notice after beginning his career 7-0–he showed toughness and a fan-friendly style. There were signs and potential for Hines to carve out a place in a heavyweight division hungry for fresh contenders. That momentum is now paused. UFC CEO Dana White has a lot of irons in the fire, but he can't be thrilled about this news considering the promotion is seemingly doing their best to refresh the heavyweight division with new, younger and exciting fighters. Hines would have fit the bill–even without elite talent–but this development changes things. Hines fully cooperated with the Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) investigation, providing details of his prior use and his belief that the substances would have cleared his system before he signed with the promotion. Testing concentrations were consistent with the tail end of excretion, supporting his explanation. Still, the timing and the fact that Hines cheated at all is a major setback. What should have been the start of a promising run in the UFC is now muddied by a one-year absence and the nasty stigma of a doping case. For a new fighter–especially one who has yet to cash in on their talents–losing a full year of competition is damaging not only to development but also to credibility within the promotion and with the fanbase. As great as we all know TJ Dillashaw was, there's a cloud that hangs over his career because he popped for unmistakable usages of performance-enhancing drugs. Hines' suspension officially began on July 11, 2025, the date Hines was provisionally suspended. The Nevada State Athletic Commission, which oversaw his UFC 317 bout where he tested positive in-competition, also retains jurisdiction and will issue a separate ruling. CSAD oversees the UFC's year-round anti-doping program, with collections conducted by Drug Free Sport International and testing handled by the WADA-accredited Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory in Salt Lake City. Next Up for the UFC is the return to Chicago for UFC 319. I'll be at the United Center for the event. Stay tuned for live coverage and follow me on X for live updates.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
UFC 319 loses Battle, cancels tomorrow's fight after early-morning weigh ins disaster
A lot of people were focused on Khamzat Chimaev, which is why matchmakers hired a backup fighter for the UFC 319 main event. Meanwhile, Bryan Battle missed weight by four pounds, yet again, for his middleweight showdown against Nursulton Ruziboev on Sat. night (Aug. 16, 2025) at United Center in Chicago. Needless to say, Ruziboev — who weighed in at 186 pounds — was not happy. 'Instead of talking too much, you need to make the weight first,' Ruziboev wrote on Instagram. 'This a professional sport blondie.' In a move not unlike the old Johny Hendricks days, Battle moved up a division after blowing up the scale at welterweight, though it didn't seem to matter once 'The Butcher' clocked in at 190 pounds. As a result, UFC canceled his fight shortly after today's UFC 319 early (and official) weigh ins. Ruziboev is expected to be paid his 'show' purse. LIVE! Watch UFC 319 PPV On ESPN+ Here! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) continues its 2025 pay-per-view (PPV) schedule on Sat., Aug. 16, 2025, with a blockbuster title fight set to headline UFC 319 from inside United Center in Chicago, Illinois. In UFC 319's PPV main event, Middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis, defends his title against undefeated No. 3-ranked contender, Khamzat Chimaev, in a high-stakes, five-round battle of unbeaten UFC records. UFC 319's PPV co-main event features a Featherweight showdown between Lerone Murphy and promotional newcomer, Aaron Pico, a high-profile free-agent signing stepping in on short notice. UFC 319 will also showcase a Welterweight clash between Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates, a Middleweight bout pitting Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page, a Flyweight matchup featuring Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura, and much more! UFC 319's start time is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET ('Early Prelims'), 8 p.m. ET ('Prelims' undercard), and 10 p.m. ET (PPV main card)Don't miss a single second of EPIC face-punching action! Where to Buy: Check price at STREAM UFC 319 For much more on this weekend's UFC 319: 'Du Plessis vs. Chimaev' fight card click here.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
2025 PFL finals predictions: Who takes 155, W125, 135 titles in Charlotte?
The PFL has three season tournament titles on the line Friday with lightweight, women's flyweight and bantamweight finals. The 2025 PFL finals (ESPN, ESPN+) event takes place at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte. Get pick results from our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers, as well as additional analysis, below. Marcirley Alves vs. Justin Wetzell Records: Alves (14-4), Wetzell (12-2) Division: Bantamweight Rankings: None Odds (as of 08.15.25): Alves -240, Wetzell +200 Junkie pick results: Alves 9, Wetzell 2 Jena Bishop vs. Liz Carmouche Records: Bishop (9-2), Carmouche (24-8) Division: Women's flyweight Rankings: Carmouche No. 8, honorable mention pound-for-pound; Bishop honorable mention Odds (as of 08.15.25): Bishop +160, Carmouche -190 Junkie pick results: Carmouche 11, Bishop 0 Alfie Davis vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov Records: Rabadanov (26-4-2), Davis (19-5-1) Division: Lightweight Rankings: Rabadanov honorable mention Odds (as of 08.15.25): Davis +900, Rabadanov -1600 Junkie pick results: Rabadanov 11, Davis 0 Individual staff member picks, main card Readers 113–71: Rabadanov (85%), Carmouche (87%), Alves (53%) Mike Bohn 120-64: Rabadanov, Carmouche, Alves Ken Hathaway 118-66: Rabadanov, Carmouche, Alves Nolan King 118-66: Rabadanov, Carmouche, Alves Farah Hannoun 116-68: Rabadanov, Carmouche, Alves Abbey Subhan 115-69: Rabadanov, Carmouche, Alves Simon Samano 113-71: Rabadanov, Carmouche, Alves Matt Erickson 113-71: Rabadanov, Carmouche, Wetzell Brian Garcia 112-72: Rabadanov, Carmouche, Alves Danny Segura 110-74: Rabadanov, Carmouche, Alves Matthew Wells 107-77: Rabadanov, Carmouche, Alves George Garcia 101-83: Rabadanov, Carmouche, Wetzell This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: 2025 PFL finals predictions: 155, W125, 135 titles in Charlotte
