Roman Dolidze hopes to attract another prominent figure in the middleweight division after missing out on a match against Jared Cannonier.
Dolidze (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) was originally scheduled to face Cannonier (17-6 MMA, 10-6 UFC) at UFC Fight Night on December 2, but the fight was cancelled due to Cannonier tearing his MCL. The Dolidze vs. Cannonier bout was already in jeopardy after Cannonier revealed he was offered a fight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 on short notice before sustaining an injury.
Currently without an opponent, Dolidze has called out several highly-ranked middleweights including Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, and Khamzat Chimaev. He is even willing to fight undefeated rising star Bo Nickal (5-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC).
“All of these top-level fighters talk so much, so loudly, but nobody wants to fight,” Dolidze stated in a video on X (formerly Twitter). “After my fight with Hermansson, I called out Khamzat. He didn’t say anything. Costa wanted to fight in December, I called him out, and he went silent. Whittaker is calling out someone from the welterweight division (Usman), even Bo Nickal. I just need a notable opponent and an exciting fight. I believe actions speak louder than words. Or maybe they shouldn’t speak at all.”
Dolidze is coming off a close decision loss to former title challenger Marvin Vettori at UFC 286 in March. Before that, the Georgian fighter had won four consecutive fights, including a second-round TKO victory over Jack Hermansson. He has received Performance of the Night bonuses for his past three finishes in the octagon.
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