Which Middleweight Was Able to Win This Highly Contested Rematch?
The main event of UFC Fight Night 254 is a rematch that happened in 2023 at UFC 286. The first matchup wasn’t competitive as Marvin Vettori was able to handily control Roman Dolidze in all aspects of the fight. Now two years removed from the last encounter, Vettori looks to make his return to the octagon successful and showcase why he should still be in title contention. As for Dolidze, he’s trying to get this loss back and continue his climb up the rankings after a few setbacks recently. We will see how this rematch plays out and what should be next in line for both fighters moving forward.
The first round started with Dolidze going forward trying to land big overhand rights and hooks. Vettori settling for throwing leg kicks and trying to slow Dolidze down. Both fighters are landing counters when the other tries to go forward. This fight is playing out almost identical to their first matchup. A close back and forth with Vettori landing more significant strikes. To start round two, Dolidze started to land some big right hooks because he’s switching to southpaw when Vettori tries to throw. Dolidze seemed to stop Vettori in his tracks every time he tried to get going, his power seems to be making an impact. Early in round three, Vettori rocks Dolidze with a straight left that was close to sitting him down. Vettori is fighting much better, landing more straight and counter lefts. Dolidze landed some nice body kicks and leg kicks that seem to be bothering Vettori.
Halfway through this fight it's been a mirror match, take one to give one. It's a very close fight going into round four. Dolidze came out with a big knee in the clinch that cut Vettori's eye. He is beginning to walk him down and land some damaging shots. As the round has gone on, both fighters seem to be slowing down. Dolidze landed a spinning elbow that landed right on Vettori’s neck. Big round by Dolidze, this fight could be three to one Dolidze or two to two. This is a war of attrition with both fighters looking tired. Both fighters came out with a sense of urgency leaving it all in the cage. Clubbing rights and body kicks coming from Doldize and straight lefts landing for Vettori. A huge knee landed for Dolidze with a minute left in round five. Dolidze has seemed to pull away as this round ended, we will see how the judges score this fight. All three judges scored the fight 49-46 with the winner going to Roman Dolidze.
This was an entertaining rematch and a good performance by both fighters. Dolidze called out Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya for his next opponent. I like the idea of him fighting Whittaker, he has fought almost everyone in the division and doesn’t have anywhere to go after his last loss to Khamzat Chimaev. This could allow Whittaker to get back in the win column or it could allow Doldize to put his name in the running for a title shot. As for Vettori, I’m not sure if he decides to hang it up here. Coming off a year-long recovery and now on a two fight winning streak, his goal of being a champion seems to be in the distant past. If he decides to step back into the octagon, I would like to see a rematch with Paulo Costa. The first fight was exciting, and they both don’t like one another, which could add some drama to the matchup. We will see where Dana White and his committee go from here.
