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MARVIN VETTORI VS ROMAN DOLIDZE FACTS
When is UFC 286? Saturday 18th March, 2023 - 19:00 (Prelims) 21:00 (PPV - £19.95)
Where is UFC 286? The O2 Arena, London (UK)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 286? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 286
What channel is UFC 286 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 286? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
MARVIN VETTORI VS ROMAN DOLIDZE LOWDOWN
Marvin Vettori (18-6-1) appears for the first time this year and has not given up hopes of the middleweight title. He got his chance two years ago after compiling five wins on the bounce. It was a rematch with Israel Adesanya (2021) who he lost to in 2018 via split decision. This fight was not as close losing a unanimous decision this time and was simply outclassed. He bounced back with a quality unanimous decision of his own against Paulo Costa (2021) but is coming off yet another decision to Robert Whittaker (2022).
He takes on Roman Dolidze (12-1) who is coming in hot on a five-fight win streak having just knocked out three opponents last year. He responded to a unanimous decision loss to Trevin Giles (2021) with one of his own against Laureano Staropoli (2021) and then really began to shift gears. He punctured Kyle Daukaus with a vicious knee to the body and then followed that up with two more vicious endings over Phil Hawes and Jack Hermansson to cap off a perfect year.
MARVIN VETTORI VS ROMAN DOLIDZE PREDICTION
What a fight to kick off the UFC London card. These Europeans represent the new breed of middleweights, and they provide a fascinating match up.
They have contrasting skill sets with the durable Vettori bringing a relentless pace with sound wrestling and boxing. Dolidze is more of a wild card with explosive striking and jiu-jitsu.
You have to feel Dolidze needs to put the Italian away early here. Vettori has a granite chin and has never been submitted. So, as long as he gets out of the first round, we expect his defence and concrete head weathering the storm on the feet and his wrestling preventing getting controlled on the ground.
That said, Dolidze can finish anyone in the division and is worth a punt considering the odds. We can see him connecting with a knee when shooting in and pouncing on a submission. In all likelihood, Vettori is going to drown the Georgian to earn a decision.
Prediction: Vettori via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value bet: Dolidze via Submission