Streaking Georgian fighter Roman Dolidze hopes to continue his rise in the UFC Middleweight rankings when he takes on former Middleweight title challenger and Italian mixed martial artist Marvin Vettori on the main card of UFC 286 at the O2 Arena in London. While the Italian is 1-2 in his last three fights, with his last fight a loss, the number nine ranked Dolidze is 6-1 in the UFC with a four-fight win streak heading to the Octagon this weekend. With the Middleweight championship changing hands last August, the top ten of the division will experience some movements this year as Pereira and Adesanya rematch for the title next month. There is some motivation for Marvin Vettori and Roman Dolidze to remain in the win column at the end of this battle.
Bet on Marvin Vettori vs Roman Dolidze with 1xBet
MMA: UFC Middleweight
Location: O2 Arena, London
Where to watch: ESPN+, ESPN PPV, BT Sport Box Office
Date: 19.3.2023, 0:00
Marvin Vettori
Number four in the Middleweight rankings, the Italian Vettori is a seasoned member of the UFC, having made his debut in 2016. In his thirteen fights in the promotion, the former Venator FC Welterweight champion has four losses in the UFC, with two coming against Israel Adesanya and the most recent against Robert Whittaker. In a failed bid for the championship, he lost by unanimous decision to Adesanya in 2021. Last September, he also lost to former Middleweight champ Robert Whittaker. Irrespective of the losses, the 29-year-old has remained in the top five of the division’s rankings.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 29
- Height: 6’ 0”
- Reach: 74”
- Record: 18-6, 1 draw
I’m still running after the title, don’t get me wrong. Don’t count me out, I’m in the top five, I’m one of the youngest in the division, and I’m coming for everything. I already faced everybody in the division and I can’t wait to just put it on, and I really want a finish, and we go from there.
Roman Dolidze
Arriving in the UFC in March 2020, the Georgian fighter has amassed an incredible 6-1 record in just two years. He has brushed aside every opposition the division has thrown at him, earning a performance of the night in his last three fights, all knock-out wins. He has defeated names like Kyle Daukas, Phil Hawes, and Jack Hermansson, fighting at least twice yearly since his debut. He opens 2023 with his biggest UFC career fight, riding a four-fight wave. The 34-year-old has competed at heavyweight, light heavyweight, and now Middleweight in his career. He debuted in 2016 and has lost only once, a decision loss against Trevin Giles in his UFC sophomore.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 34
- Height: 6’ 3”
- Reach: 74”
- Record: 12-1
Pereira is the champ right now, he’s fighting Adesanya. I really believe I would do really well against those two now. My grappling has improved a lot, my kicking has improved a lot, I’m way more of a finisher right now. The division is so open. Like Pereira is 35 or 36, Adesanya is 33 or 34. Whittaker is not a brand-new flower even though he’s a beast. So yeah, it’s all about matchups.
Betting Odds
Marvin Vettori is the odds-on favorite across the sportsbooks. On Bet365, the Italian is 1.33 odds to win, while the Georgian Dolidze is priced to win at a hefty 3.25 odds. 1xbet prices a win for Dolidze (W2) at 2.925 odds and a Vettori win at 1.4 odds. Betting no on will the specified round (3) start is available for 2.85 odds on Coinplay.
