Unfinished Business: Vettori vs. Dolidze 2 Headlines UFC Vegas 104

The octagon is about to witness some serious unfinished business this weekend. Marvin “The Italian Dream” Vettori and Roman Dolidze are set to reignite their rivalry in what promises to be an explosive main event at UFC Vegas 104 this Saturday night.

I’ve been covering these guys for years, and let me tell you – there’s some genuine bad blood brewing here that makes this rematch particularly spicy.

The First Chapter: What Went Down in 2023

When these middleweights first clashed in March 2023, we witnessed a tactical chess match that went the distance. Vettori walked away with a unanimous decision victory, but the contest was far closer than the scorecards suggested. Dolidze had his moments, particularly with his dangerous submission attempts that had Vettori in trouble more than once.

The Georgian fighter has been vocal about feeling robbed in their first encounter, claiming he did enough damage to secure the win. That lingering controversy has been simmering for months and is about to boil over this weekend.

Why This Rematch Matters

For Vettori (19-6-1), this fight represents an opportunity to silence doubters and cement his position as a perennial top contender in the middleweight division. After falling short against former champion Israel Adesanya twice, the Italian has been rebuilding his case for another title run.

Dolidze (12-2) enters with a chip on his shoulder and redemption on his mind. His powerful striking combined with a crafty submission game makes him one of the division’s most dangerous threats. A win over a ranked opponent like Vettori could catapult him into title contention.

Tale of the Tape: Comparing the Fighters

What’s Changed Since Their First Meeting?

Both fighters have evolved since their initial encounter. Vettori has sharpened his striking defense while continuing to rely on his legendary chin and cardio. The Italian Dream’s pressure fighting style remains his bread and butter, but he’s added new wrinkles to his game.

Dolidze, meanwhile, has focused on his takedown defense – the area that cost him dearly in their first fight. His camp claims he’s addressed the cardio issues that saw him fade in the later rounds against Vettori previously.

“I made mistakes in our first fight. I was not at my best,” Dolidze told media during fight week. “This time will be different. I promise you all will see a new Roman.”

Keys to Victory for Both Fighters

For Vettori to repeat his success, he’ll need to:

• Maintain his relentless pressure
• Mix in takedowns to disrupt Dolidze’s striking rhythm
• Avoid the dangerous submission attempts that nearly caught him last time

Dolidze’s path to victory likely involves:

• Improved takedown defense to keep the fight standing
• Landing his power shots early to slow Vettori’s forward momentum
• Better energy management to remain dangerous in championship rounds

What This Means for the Middleweight Division

The middleweight landscape has shifted dramatically since Dricus Du Plessis dethroned Sean Strickland. Both Vettori and Dolidze are positioning themselves for one more run at the title, and this fight could determine who remains relevant in the championship conversation.

I’ve spoken with several fighters in the division who are watching this matchup closely. The consensus is that whoever wins this weekend instantly becomes a person of interest in the title picture, especially if they can secure a finish.

How to Watch UFC Vegas 104

UFC Vegas 104 takes place this Saturday at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas. The main card kicks off at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT, with prelims starting at 4 PM ET/1 PM PT. You can catch all the action on ESPN+.

Prediction Time

I’m going out on a limb here, but I see Dolidze coming in with better preparation and a more focused gameplan. If he can avoid Vettori’s pressure in the early rounds and maintain his gas tank, I believe he has the tools to even the score – possibly via a late TKO or submission.

That said, counting out Marvin Vettori has proven foolish before. His granite chin and relentless cardio make him a problem for anyone in the division for all five rounds.

The Bottom Line

Whatever happens this Saturday, fans are in for a treat. These are two elite middleweights with unfinished business and plenty to prove. The stylistic matchup guarantees fireworks, and the personal animosity adds that extra spice that makes combat sports so compelling.

Who are you picking in this crucial middleweight rematch? Drop your predictions in the comments, and be sure to tune in this Saturday for what promises to be an absolute war inside the octagon!

Source: UFC.com