On the night of June 30th, UFC 303 tournament will take place in Las Vegas. Georgian fighter Roman Dolidze will be in the main card. He is set to fight Anthony Smith in the light heavyweight division on short notice.
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In an exclusive interview with Telecomasia.net you will learn:
- how long Dolidze prepared for the fight with Anthony Smith;
- which weight division Dolidze will compete in if he defeats Smith;
- with which Georgian footballers Dolidze communicates;
- Dolidze's reaction to Sergei Pavlovich's outburst after losing to Alexander Volkov;
- Dolidze's relationship with UFC champion Ilia Topuria and his opinion on his trash talk;
- about Merab Dvalishvili's title prospects.
"Matchmakers said they don't want me to leave the middleweight division"
- After the fight with Imavov, your two middleweight fights were canceled and now you have a fight on short notice. How long was your training process?
- There was no training specifically for this fight - I was told about it a week ago. I flew out immediately and got right into the fight week. But I'm in good physical shape. It wasn't a spontaneous decision.
- How long did you think about whether to accept the fight or not?
I didn’t think at all. The only thing I said was, "Call the opponent, hear from him. You know my answer."
- Last year, you mentioned in an interview in Thailand that your usual weight is 95-96 kg. Am I correct to assume you had almost no excess weight when you accepted the fight?
- Yes, something around that. Maybe a bit more, but when I arrived in Vegas, I think I lost some weight because it's very hot here. I usually drink a lot of water during the week of the fight and follow a diet, which makes me sweat constantly. It's weird for me, like it doesn't feel like fight week.
But you haven't reached the weight yet?
- No, but there’s only a minor difference. I think I'll easily make weight. We usually "cut" 8-12 liters of water, but this time I don't have to do that. And it's such a big difference. Everything is different now.
- If you defeat Smith, where do you plan to compete next - in middleweight or light heavyweight? Because if you win, you'll be in the top 10 in both divisions.
There were discussions, and there was this detail: they told me they don't want me to leave 84 kg (middleweight). So, if I'm ready to fight in both weight classes, I get a fight. I said, "Of course. But you already said that many opponents are pulling out. You mentioned several people who were even before Imavov. 3 or 4 people.
Before the fight with Imavov, I waited seven months and went home without an opponent. This time I got one. Even though at first, I stayed here for two months and then went home again. And I think when I'm in two weight classes, it will be much more convenient to find opponents, and I won't be left without fights. This is my game plan for the future.
- In this case, can we say you are to some extent saving the tournament and card?
- For the matchmakers, it seems that way, but for me, it's an opportunity.
- How would you assess Anthony Smith's wrestling level?
- Well, I won't underestimate his grappling abilities, but I want to emphasize that I am a world champion, that's all.
Bet on MMA with 1xBet"It was easier for Aliskerov - he was preparing all the time and knew that there would be a middleweight fight"
- If you had a fight in the USA like Ikram Aliskerov, and you were offered to save a tournament in Saudi Arabia and headline against Robert Whittaker in one week, would you agree?
Of course, I would agree. It's a small difference from America, and I just flew from Georgia to America. The time is about the same. On the other hand, it was easier for him. He was preparing all this time and knew he would have a fight at this weight. He got a better opportunity than what was initially offered to him. He was supposed to face a non-ranked opponent, but then they offered him a top fighter.
It would be a big step towards the title if he won the fight. It was a colossal opportunity he rightfully agreed to. But sometimes things don’t work out, unfortunately.
- Do you think the adaptation to the flight and a second weight cut in a week could seriously affect him?
- He didn't have a second weight cut, that doesn't count. He knew he had no opponent for weeks before the fight. So, he didn't have to cut weight that hard, I believe. But he was in good shape. Because he had an important fight in Vegas first. But he couldn't refuse such an opportunity - it was a big present. But that's how it turned out.
Bet on MMA with 1xBet"I won't call Georgia's victory over Portugal a miracle for our football, but the guys did the almost impossible"
- Do you follow the results of the Georgian national team at the Euros? How do you feel about your home country's performance?
- Of course, I follow them. Yesterday I had a media day - I gave many interviews and was very busy. But I was constantly on my phone, watching how the guys played.
It's a great story written for Georgian football. The people are celebrating. I think the celebration will continue until today. But we didn't expect this. I won't call it a miracle for our football, but the guys did the almost impossible.
- Which Georgian players do you follow?
- I try to follow all of them as much as possible. We exchange messages with several guys on social media. Of course, I try to stay in touch with them. When I have important fights, they also write me.
But I haven't met anyone in person: I am in America, they are in Europe or vice versa. Few of them live in Georgia permanently. But I hope we will change that.
- And which of the players do you know?
- I sometimes communicate with Khvicha on social media.
- You used to be a professional goalkeeper. What do you think of Mamardashvili's play?
- I believe Mamardashvili performed at a high level precisely when it was needed the most. It was a crucial moment where the Georgian team needed this performance. If we had conceded a goal, I don't know how it would have ended because Portugal was pressing constantly. Mamardashvili's game surely inspired our guys. I think in this match, the goalkeeper played a great role in the victory. He did a fantastic job.
- Do you see him in any top club?
- Let's start by saying, Valencia is a good team. It's hard to predict such things, but if he and the Georgian team continue playing that well, I think anything is possible. He definitely deserves it.
"I’m not judging Topuria for trash talk - everyone has their own way"
- Last week, there was a fight between Sergey Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov, and it was remembered by Sergei pushing Volkov away and cursing at him. How would you comment on such a reaction to defeat? Is it a normal reaction to a former sparring partner?
- I'm not defending Sergei, such actions are unacceptable. But let's write it off as nerves. Probably, that kind of loss was unpleasant for him.
- Your compatriot Ilia Topuria often uses trash talk, sometimes insulting fighters. It's known that you strongly disapprove of profanities. How do you feel about Ilia and his image?
- I know Ilia very well. He's a good guy, but in life, we are all different. I won't change my opinion, and I don't think trash talk is acceptable. I don't approve of it. However, I am responsible for my actions and won't judge him. Everyone has their own way. But he's always there for me and supports me during my fights.
- So, I take it, his trash talk doesn't affect your relationship with him?
- I don't like it. I don't think it's good.
- Do you believe Merab Dvalishvili will become a UFC champion this year?
For me, Merab Dvalishvili is already a champion - he deserved it long ago. There were some nuances, because of Aljamain Sterling too, and he wasn't given the opportunity. But he forcefully pushed the organization to give him a chance to fight for the title.
However, when we talk about a fight with the champion, it's a good match for Merab stylistically. I don't know what the champion would have to do to stop Merab's pressure. Of course, anything is possible in a fight. We don't know what might happen, but stylistically, I would pick Merab.
