Roman Dolidze thinks he deserves top-tier middleweight opponents.
Gearing up for his third UFC main event, Dolidze (15-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) will take on Anthony Hernandez at UFC on ESPN 72 at the UFC Apex on Aug. 9. As it currently stands, Dolidze sits one spot ahead of Hernandez (14-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) at No. 8 in the promotion’s official middleweight rankings, and he believes it’s time for him and his opponent to crack into the elite of the division.
“I think we both deserve better fights, like at minimum top 5 fights,” Dolidze told MMA Junkie Radio. “But it is how it is, we never step back. I’m ready for anything. Two months I was waiting, they were telling me about (Robert) Whittaker, but in the end, I’m fighting ‘Fluffy.’ But for me it doesn’t mean nothing, I’m ready to go.”
Dolidze is currently on a three-fight winning streak, while Hernandez’s current run totals seven. The level of competition has been stiffer on Dolidze’s side. With the matchup against Hernandez, the Georgian acknowledges cardio could be the difference maker.
“It’s all about style – he loves to wrestle with guys,” Dolidze said. “First couple of rounds, he’s not so successful, but when everybody else is getting tired, he’s still going. He’s a very good athlete. He’s a very good fighter, but I think on the ground, I have very good jiu-jitsu. I’m ready for anything on the ground. I’m not scared to grapple with him. That’s why I don’t think I have a lot of problems there.”
Should Dolidze pass the “Fluffy” test, perhaps he’ll land that fight against former champion Whittaker. As a part of Georgia’s big three in the UFC, along with champs Ilia Topuria and Merab Dvalishvili, Dolidze hopes to keep the bar very high as they proudly represent their nation, and as he works toward a title shot of his own.
“This fight, it’s my third main event, and everybody knows I deserve better fights,” Dolidze said. “But, I have this fight, and I will show everybody what I can do.”
