For years, Georgia has produced a steady line of UFC stars who have gone to become champions. Ilja Topuria, though competing under the Spanish flag, is a product of the country and has gone to become a two-division title-holder. Merab Dvalishvili was another to make a big splash in the UFC.
Dvalishvili went on to become champion in the bantamweight division and ruled it for more than a year and defended the title three times during that period. Now, Roman Dolidze looks to add himself into the list of great champions, albeit at his own pace.
The 38-year-old is back in the familiar surroundings of the light heavyweight division as he faces Reinier de Ridder in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night on Saturday, August 22, having worked for most of the time in middleweight. He believes that it has been a natural process for him and is happy to stop going through the process of cutting weight.
“I think it’s quite normal and natural for me. I was fighting light heavyweight before UFC. Even while being a middleweight, I was still competing in light heavyweight. That’s why it’s nothing new for me. I’m just doing my job and try to be the best,” said Dolidze.
FINDING HIS PLACE AMONG GEORGIA’S FINEST
When it comes to being considered as his country’s finest, Dolidze feels that he has a spot of his own. And he is pretty happy with how things are shaping up for him.
The future talent from Georgia also gives him hope that the country will produce more talent in the coming years.
“I have my own place and I’m very happy with it. I am who I am and I’m very thankful and grateful for this place and for the organisation for every opportunity that they are giving to me.
“Georgia is doing great, in the past years, and I’m very happy also for that, and I think there are more, better fighters coming because we already showed them this road, this path, and how they can achieve their goals,” said Dolidze.
It has been a stop-start career for Dolidze after coming into the UFC. He has gone on winning streaks on two seperate occasions, including victories over former contenders like Kevin Holland and Marvin Vettori.
But then, this would always be followed by a couple of losses that peg back his momentum.
He is currently on a two-fight losing streak but the 38-year-old doesn’t think the move to light heavyweight is to solve this issue. But it is rather to keep him healthy and fit.
“It’s not an issue for me. It’s not a problem for me. It’s how it is, and I take it how it is. I moved to light heavyweight because it was getting harder for me to cut weight, and weight cut is ok. Mentally, I’m strong to do it, but to gain back and to be in good shape like for a fight, that was a problem. That’s why I decided not to challenge my body anymore and fight in more natural weight for myself,” said Dolidze.
Having come close multiple times to being on the cusp of getting a title shot, Dolidze now has things charted out well. He isn’t panicking or getting ahead of himself.
He has set out a timeline for him to be back by not getting ahead of his main challenges.
“I already was very close to the title and I want to fight for title. That’s why I’m more than sure that everything will go right as I’m planning. It’s probably 1-2 years max,” said Dolidze.
“Perfect timeline, 2 years.”
If he can get past De Ridder, then Dolidze’s plan will get off to a great start. He feels he has inspired the next generation already, but adding a title to his name would surely keep him in the conversation to be one of Georgia’s finest fighters.
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