Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze 2 prediction, pick: UFC Vegas 104

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom goes in-depth to break down the biggest fights in the UFC. Today, he takes a closer look at the UFC Fight Night 254‘s main event rematch between Marvin Vettori and Roman Dolidze.

Marvin Vettori UFC Fight Night 254 preview

Staple info:

• Record: 19-7-1 MMA, 9-5-1 UFC
• Height: 6’0″ Age: 31 Weight: 185 lbs. Reach: 74″
• Last fight: Decision loss to Jared Cannonier (June 17, 2023)
• Camp: American Top Team (Florida)
• Stance/striking style: Southpaw/kickboxing
• Risk management: Good

Supplemental info:
+ Regional MMA title
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt
+ Amateur boxing experience (8-0)
+ Multiple grappling accolades
+ 2 KO victories
+ 9 submission wins
+ 11 first-round finishes
+ Aggressive pace and pressure
+ Improved overall striking
^ Coming forward and off the counter
+ Hard kicks and knees
+ Strong inside of the clinch
+ Serviceable wrestling ability
^ Defensively and offensively
+ Solid transitional grappler
+/- 4-1 in the UFC Apex
+/- 1-1 in career rematches

Roman Dolidze UFC Fight Night 254 preview

Staple info:

• 14-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC
• Height: 6’2″ Age: 36 Weight: 185 lbs. Reach: 76″
• Last fight: TKO win over Kevin Holland (Oct. 5, 2024)
• Camp: Xtreme Couture MMA (Las Vegas)
• Stance/striking style: Switch-stance/muay Thai
• Risk management: Fair

Supplemental info:
+ Regional MMA title
+ Multiple grappling accolades
+ 8 KO victories
+ 3 submission wins
+ 8 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Aggressive pace and pressure
+ Steadily improving striking
^ Coming forward or in combination
+ Strikes well off the breaks
+ Strong inside of the clinch
^ Hard knees and elbows
+ Dangerous transitional grappler
^ Opportunistic submissions and active guard
+/- 1-1 against UFC-level southpaws
+/- 3-2 in the UFC Apex
+/- 0-0 in career rematches

Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze 2 point of interest: Striking the second time around

Mar 18, 2023; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Marvin Vettori (red gloves) fights Roman Dolidze (blue gloves) during UFC 286 at O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports

The main event in the Apex is yet another middleweight rematch courtesy of the UFC matchmakers.

Despite Vettori and Dolidze already fighting each other on a main card almost two years ago, the UFC brass can’t seem to get their fill when it comes to middleweights and rematches alike.

Their first fight, though having its fair share of action, basically saw each man circling the octagon in order to have the same exchange over and over again.

Dolidze did his best to enter off of rear kicks and knees to step into his patent right hand, while Vettori elected to circle on the outside and elect to counter. But with Vettori traditionally being the fighter who prefers to pressure, I’ll be curious to see if he tries to change things up this time around.

Operating out of a southpaw stance, Vettori usually comes forward in a similar spirit to his former Kings MMA stablemates. Working under the teachings of muay Thai master Rafael Cordeiro, “The Italian Dream” presses into exchanges with a strong sense of himself, striking with real intent and power.

Like any good southpaw, Vettori will competently put together left crosses and right hooks, mixing in crushing left body kicks to the liver when the target becomes available. Vettori has also shown that he can sit back and counter when he needs to slow things down, smartly sticking the opposition with a jab.

I will be curious to see if Vettori continues to play with his boxing improvements at range or looks to meet fire with fire considering the heat that will be coming his way.

Enter Dolidze.

A marauding madman on all fronts, Dolidze – despite his grappling base – has proven that he is not afraid to mix things up on the feet.

Competent from either stance, Dolidze is a fairly flexible striker in regards to his lack of process. Whether Dolidze is looking to incite exchanges by initiating or countering in combination, the 36-year-old Georgian throws almost everything with fight-ending intentions.

When feeling in stride, Dolidze will unleash some surprisingly fast and flashy kicks that he typically targets the head with. That said, Dolidze has also shown the ability to sneakily connect punches to kicks and knees off of the same side, particularly when looking to close distance in open-stance affairs.

Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze 2 point of interest: Potential grappling threats

Mar 18, 2023; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Marvin Vettori (red gloves) fights Roman Dolidze (blue gloves) during UFC 286 at O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports

Considering the kind of action that the smaller octagon can influence, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more grappling between these two this time around.

Vettori, who came into this sport as a grappler, has made steady efforts to further improve his wrestling since touching down in the UFC. Whether Vettori is looking to change levels in the open or attempting takedowns against the cage, the Italian fighter does a decent job at chaining his attacks and turning the corners on his finishes.

Luckily for Dolidze, he’s far from a slouch in grappling or wrestling transitions.

Although process and consistency aren’t things that are typically synonymous with Dolidze’s game, the Georgian fighter has displayed serviceable takedown tools in the past.

Dolidze is athletic enough for shot attempts in the open, but the 36-year-old pro appears to prefer working things out from the clinch.

Utilizing his long limbs, Dolidze does well at either securing grips for takedown attempts or framing for devastating knees and strikes off the breaks. That said, Dolidze is not beyond being taken down or out-positioned himself – so don’t sleep on Vettori in these spots.

Vettori may not have a “game over” level of ground attack, but the Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt can transition well with strikes from topside and plays positions when he needs to. That said, I’m not sure how much he’ll want to go strength-for-strength with a guy like Dolidze in closed quarters.

Aside from the finishes he’s been accruing in said space, Dolidze is also the type of opportunistic grappler who will go for submissions in strange and unorthodox positions.

Not afraid to invert his guard or drop for a leg, Dolidze’s competence and confidence make for a dangerous dance partner in this division.

Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze 2 odds

The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the Italian fighter, listing Vettori -172 and Dolidze +134 via FanDuel.

Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze 2 prediction, pick

Marvin Vettori vs Roman Dolidze UFC 286 Ceremonial Weigh-ins

Considering the lack of movement on this betting line, I can assume that we’re all somewhat sharing the same feelings on a fight that no one really needs to see again. That said, I have to acknowledge Dolidze as a live underdog in this spot.

Although five rounds doesn’t seem like it would benefit Dolidze on paper, I suspect that the smaller octagon will considering the kinda of action it encourages. But given Vettori’s prior experience in five-round wars and rematches, I suspect that the 31-year-old will be well prepared for what this Saturday brings (especially after training with Johnny Eblen over at American Top Team).

Add in the fact that Vettori – now that Blagoy Ivanov is no longer on the roster – is now the most un-killable fighter in the UFC, and I have a hard time not siding with him here.

Dolidze’s late burst and blitzes can make this competitive on-paper affair feel a lot closer on the scorecards, but I’ll officially pick Vettori to survive the early storms and pull away down the stretch.

Prediction: Marvin Vettori by decision

Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze 2 start time, where to watch

As the main event, Vettori and Dolidze are expected to make their walks to the octagon at approximately 9:35 p.m. ET. The fight airs on ESPN+.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 254.