Roman Dolidze has evened the score.
In the UFC Fight Night 254 middleweight main event Saturday, Dolidze (14-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) defeated Marvin Vettori (19-7-1 MMA, 9-5-1 UFC) by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) in a rematch.
The first meeting took place at UFC 286 in March 2023, though the result was opposite. That time, Vettori won a unanimous decision. It was a three-round bout.
This time, it was a five-rounder. While there were some similarities between the two bouts, Dolidze did just enough to get the nod Saturday. The fight was contested mostly on the feet. The two plodding strikers chucked hands. While speed isn’t necessarily their strong suit, power certainly was. Both men’s chins held up, however, as they each absorbed blows.
Vettori’s strongest round was the third. It was the only one he won on each of the three judges’ scorecards. The other four rounds were Dolidze just being a step ahead, in the eyes of those scoring.
WHAT A BATTLE 👏@RomanDolidzeUFC is leaving #UFCVegas104 with a unanimous decision victory! pic.twitter.com/xcm7n08rSd
— UFC (@ufc) March 16, 2025
With the win, Dolidze has three straight victories. He entered Saturday’s bout off back-to-back wins over Anthony Smith and Kevin Holland.
In defeat, Vettori has now lost three out of four. Saturday’s fight was his first competition since June 2023.
Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 254 results include:
- Roman Dolidze def. Marvin Vettori via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
- Chidi Njokuani def. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 2:19
- Alexander Hernandez def. Kurt Holobaugh via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Da’Mon Blackshear def. Cody Gibson via submission (kimura) – Round 2, 4:09
- Brendson Ribeiro def. Diyar Nurgozhay via submission (kimura) – Round 2, 1:28
- Kevin Vallejos def. SeungWoo Choi via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:09
- Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Ryan Spann via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 4:48
- SuYoung You def. AJ Cunningham via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Carlos Vera def. Josias Musasa via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:16
- Sam Hughes def. Stephanie Luciano via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-27)
- Andre Lima def. Daniel Barez via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 3:05
- Priscila Cachoeira def. Josiane Nunes via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 2:46
- Carli Judice def. Yuneisy Duben via TKO (head kick, punches) – Round 1, 1:40
