The UFC’s middleweight division takes center stage once again as Marvin Vettori and Roman Dolidze headline UFC Fight Night at the Apex in Las Vegas. As of late, Vettori hasn’t had a win in three of his last five fights.
On the other hand, Dolidze has a lot of momentum going for him after winning his last two fights.
With both fighters eager to make a statement in the 185-pound rankings, this five-round main event is a crucial matchup each of them. Vettori wants to earn the right to get back into contention and Dolidze wants to make a statement.
How Marvin Vettori Wins
Despite his slide, Vettori has consistently proven to be among the best in the division. While he hasn’t always emerged victorious, he has never been finished in his career. Vettori also holds a unanimous decision win over Dolidze from their 2023 matchup, which could give him a mental edge heading into this rematch.
For Vettori to win, he needs to keep the fight at range, using his striking to prevent Dolidze from closing the distance and initiating grappling exchanges. His ability to maintain distance and stuff takedown attempts will be crucial. If he can establish his jab, mix in kicks, and stay active with his combinations over five rounds, he has a strong path to victory.
How Roman Dolidze Wins
Dolidze is not the same fighter he was two years ago and had grown in leaps and bounds. While he still leans on his grappling, he has developed solid striking and knows how to use his power to set up takedown opportunities.
The key for Dolidze will be balancing his aggressive style with the ability to inflict visible damage—especially with the modern scoring criteria, prioritizing striking impact over control time. While he can take Vettori to the ground or control him in the clinch, he must remember that if Vettori is landing effective shots on the feet, he could end up losing rounds despite his positional dominance.
X-Factors in the Fight
One of the biggest unknowns is which Marvin Vettori will show up. We’ve all seen Vettori’s emotions get the best of him, and we haven’t seen him in the octagon since June 2023.
Prediction: A Battle of Wills
This fight is pretty much a toss-up, although Vegas is giving Vettori the edge.
Vettori’s durability and past win over Dolidze show he has the tools to win the match. Expect a high-paced, gritty contest with momentum swings throughout. I think it’s really going to come down to Vettori. Dolidze is always solid and can possibly put Vettori down for good. But that’s what makes Vettori so dangerous in this fight, he needs a win desperately, and no one doubts he is a savage. If you ask me, this fight is all about Vettori, will he show up and take care of business? Or is he going to let his emotions get the best of him?
