Roman Dolidze Explains Logic Behind Callouts of Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker

Roman Dolidze went for name value when he called out Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker following his victory over Marvin Vettori in the UFC Vegas 104 headliner on Saturday night.

According to “The Caucasian,” seeking fights against the former champions also makes sense from a matchmaking perspective. Dolidze is also willing to take on some of the middleweight division’s rising contenders, but he believes some of those potential opponents might already be on the verge of a title shot.

“Why not? All these guys need opponents. They need to fight somebody. They need to have some opponent,” Dolidze said at Saturday’s post-fight press conference. “I don’t care if it will be somebody else from Top 5, 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 5.

“[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 is in the midst of a three-bout losing streak and is coming off a second-round TKO loss to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia on Feb. 1. Prior to that slump, “The Last Stylebender built a resume that ranks among the best in UFC middleweight history. Whittaker, meanwhile, suffered a first-round submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev in his last outing at UFC 308 this past October. Whittaker is also a former title holder, but Dolidze says that Adesanya would be his first choice between the two.

“Both of these guys have good names,” Dolidze said. “More important for me the name. Of course, Adesanya was more on the top and it would be better for me, for my name to fight Adesanya. But Whittaker was also a champion. He’s well skilled, a very good fighter. It’s not about personality or something. It’s all about name and quality of opponent.

“Adesanya will of course will be better if we’re telling more about a loud name. Of course, Adesanya, he’s more of a striker. Very fast. Dangerous. Adesanya will be better probably.”

Dolidze has won three straight in the Octagon, with victories over Vettori, Kevin Holland and Anthony Smith to his credit. The 36-year-old Georgian is 9-3 during his tenure with the Las Vegas-based promotion.