UFC Vegas 104: UFC Apex; Las Vegas, Nevada
It might have been a case of cage rust. Or it could have been just the hard work that the Georgian Roman Dolidze has put in at XTREME COUTURE. The last time Marvin Vettori was in the octagon was just under two-years ago. But he has a victory over Dolidze by unanimous decision, from UFC 286. In this back and forth fight it was Dolidze sweeping the scorecards 49-46.
Vettori was returning to the octagon after multiple shoulder injuries. So it’s hard to tell if there was any lingering soreness. Dolidze threw the harder crisper strikes. He was also given multiple warnings by referee HERB DEAN about extending his fingers. Which lends to the question: why give warnings, without taking away a point.
By the time the decision was read, both men were wearing the marks of a five-round battle. Both threw hard from the get go, but neither was throwing volume. However, it managed to pick up in the final rounds for Dolidze who expertly mixed up his attack.
Dolidze said post fight:
“This fight was very important for me. First of all mentally to show I can go five rounds hard. First fight, I was going hard just because of my aggression. But now I was ready, I was controling my aggression”.
He also said to MICHAEL BISPING that he now wants a top-five opponent. He’ll get a bump in the rankings, no doubt. But is this victory in itself, or the modest three-fight win streak he’s now on worthy of a Top-5… is a whole different story.
After Going Back And Forth With Vettori, What’s Next?
He has shown improvements. But a more realistic approach might be to get him against Jared Cannonier who’s just outside of the Top-5. Cannonier’s chin might hold up to the right hands Dolidze throws, but the kicking attack he has would make “The Killa Gorilla” a bit hesistant.
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