Dolidze draws level with Vettori in finish-filled Fight Night
Roman Dolidze avenged one of his previous UFC setbacks, besting Marvin Vettori over five rounds. E. Spencer Kyte recaps their bout and all the other explosive finishes from a firework-fuelled Fight Night at the UFC Apex.
Roman Dolidze avenged one of his previous UFC setbacks to close out the action on Saturday night at the UFC APEX, collecting a unanimous decision win over returning Italian Marvin Vettori.
This was a competitive fight from the outset and one that was closer than the 49-46 scorecards across the board suggested, as it wasn’t until the championship rounds that Dolidze truly began to pull away. Ironically, the single biggest individual moment of the fight seemingly came on Vettori’s side, as he clobbered Dolidze with a left hand that put the burly Georgian on shaky legs, forcing him to back up.
But Vettori was unable to follow up on the positive moment and Dolidze worked his way back into the round, using that momentum to carry him through the fourth and fifth, leading to a sweep of the scorecards and a third straight victory.
While not the most high-profile middleweight pairing we’ve seen in the last couple months, this was a critical win for the 36-year-old Dolidze, who entered the contest stationed at No. 12 in the rankings and is likely to climb into the Top 10 when the rankings update next week. He called for a matchup with either Israel Adesanya or Robert Whittaker next, eager to show that he can hang with a Top 5 talent, though with each man coming off stoppage losses in their last outings, a chance to reset might be in order for the former champs.
The more likely scenario is a date with Top 10 fixture and former title challenger Jared Cannonier, who picked up a main event win last month over Gregory Rodrigues. Dolidze is one of the few middleweights with a number next to their name that “Tha Killa Gorilla,” who advances to “Level 42” — Cannonier doesn’t count age in years, but rather levels — on Sunday, has yet to face.
It would still be a chance to fight forward and could very well bring another main event opportunity for the durable Dolidze, who has now gone 7-2 over his last nine outings and 9-3 in a dozen UFC starts.
WELCOME TO THE UFC, KEVIN VALLEJOS
The future is exceptionally bright for Kevin Vallejos, the 23-year-old Argentinian featherweight prospect who collected a first-round stoppage win over SeungWoo Choi to open Saturday’s main card.
Vallejos, who punched his ticket to the UFC with a first-round stoppage win last season on Dana White’s Contender Series, showed impressive poise and patience in his promotional debut, coming forward while picking his shots and mixing his targets as he took the fight to Choi.
Shortly after countering a low kick with a right hand down the pipe and driving a left hook to the midsection, “El Chino” came over the top with a right hand that dropped the South Korean, prompting Vallejos to follow him to the mat and pound out the finish.
/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6370096578112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6370096578112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6370096578112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc");
if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }
var DUFI_IP = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP");
if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }
$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );
$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-992702" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6370096578112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/6370096578112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/ufc/video/vallejos-dispatches-woo-choi-via-tko-for-ufc-debut-win/" }); });
One win over a veteran with a losing record inside the Octagon isn’t usually enough to sound the alarms about an emerging talent, but Vallejos feels like a different case. His lone professional loss came two seasons ago on the Contender Series against Jean Silva when he was just 21 years old. Seeing the Fighting Nerds standout storm through quality competition inside the Octagon to start his career has helped elevate the UFC freshman’s stock, and his performance on Saturday simply adds to it.
Featherweight is in the midst of some renovations, and while he has some work to do before approaching the rankings, do not be surprised to see the promising Argentine with a number next to his name in the next couple of years.
‘SALSA BOY’ CONTINUES WINNING
Waldo Cortes-Acosta entered this weekend’s event having quietly earned three straight victories before closing out the prelims with a loud, stoppage win over Ryan Spann.
A member of the DWCS Class of ’22, Cortes-Acosta was able to sting Spann a couple of times in the opening stanza, clipping him with big, swinging shots that forced the Fortis MMA man to retreat and steady himself. A number of momentary pauses slowed the pace to start the second, but late in the frame, the Dominican banger found Spann’s chin with a left hook that instantly sent him to the canvas, where hammerfists quickly followed and brought about the stoppage.
/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6370094109112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6370094109112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6370094109112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc");
if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }
var DUFI_IP = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP");
if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }
$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );
$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-868068" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6370094109112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/6370094109112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/ufc/video/cortes-acosta-cracks-spann-with-left-hook-for-tko-win/" }); });
Now 6-1 in the UFC, the 33-year-old Cortes-Acosta is now at the point in the division where only established names remain ahead of him. He tossed out Derrick Lewis and Tai Tuivasa as potential future dance partners — both of which would be absolute barnburners for as long as they last — and regardless of whom he’s paired off with next, it’s time to start treating “Salsa Boy” like a legitimate ascending threat in the heavyweight ranks.
AN ELECTRIC START TO THE EVENING
History was made right out of the gates on Saturday night at the UFC APEX.
Carli Judice opened the evening by out-classing and stopping Yuneisy Duben, showcasing a varied striking arsenal before blasting Duben with a left high kick that she never saw coming, collecting her first UFC victory in the process. In the next bout, Priscila Cachoeira knocked out fellow Brazilian Josiane Nunes, cracking her with a heavy right uppercut while controlling the back of her head, amplifying the impact.
The consecutive first-round finishes from Judice and Cachoeira marked the first time in UFC history that an event opened with back-to-back stoppages in bouts on the women’s side of the roster.
Streaking Brazilian flyweight Andre Lima added to the early collection of finishes with a third-round submission win over Daniel Barez in the night’s third matchup.
A member of the DWCS Class of ’23, Lima was in control from the outset, showcasing superior power and a greater diversity of attacks, punishing the lead leg of the Spaniard while also mixing his targets with his punches. After taking Barez down early in the third, “Mascote” took the back when the 36-year-old looked to clamber to his feet, patiently working to sink in the rear-naked choke.
After Sam Hughes out-hustled Stephanie Luciano in a three-round battle in the strawweight division, Carlos Vera continued the finishing party, authoring the biggest betting upset of the year thus far by submitting recent DWCS grad Josias Musasa in the first round.
The 37-year-old Vera, who competed on Season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter and dropped his short-notice promotional debut to Rinya Nakamura, caught the raw bantamweight Musasa with a left high kick that wrapped around the back of his head, shaking his equilibrium and causing him to stumble to the canvas. Vera quickly pounced, climbing on his back and sinking in the rear naked choke to register his first UFC victory.
ODDS & ENDS
Chidi Njokuani is starting to make some noise in the welterweight division. The DWCS alum moved to 3-0 in the 170-pound weight class on Saturday, collecting a second-round stoppage win over tenured veteran Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos. He called for a date with a Top 15 opponent next time out, and after dropping “Capoeira” with a slick knee up the middle, a matchup with someone like Vicente Luque could certainly work.
/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6370099500112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6370099500112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6370099500112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc");
if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }
var DUFI_IP = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP");
if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }
$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );
$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-400435" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6370099500112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/6370099500112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/ufc/video/njokuani-lands-punishing-knee-for-tko-victory-over-zaleski/" }); });
Alexander Hernandez began his UFC tenure with consecutive wins over Beneil Dariush and Olivier Aubin-Mercier in 2018, making him a promising young fighter of interest in the lightweight division. Saturday night, “The Great Ape” bested Kurt Holobaugh on the scorecards, earning consecutive victories inside the Octagon for the first time since those opening wins.
Brendson Ribeiro and Da’Mon Blackshear earned back-to-back wins on the main card by kimura, the former tapping out unbeaten newcomer Diyar Nurgozhay, while the latter secured the finish against veteran Cody Gibson. It was the first time consecutive fights ended by kimura since George Sotiropoulos and Phil Davis went back-to-back against Joe Lauzon and Tim Boetsch.
/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6370097122112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6370097122112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6370097122112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc");
if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }
var DUFI_IP = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP");
if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }
$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );
$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-772181" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6370097122112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/6370097122112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/ufc/video/ufc-fight-night-highlights-blackshear-def-gibson-via-submission/" }); });
Hughes’s win over Luciano was the 100th UFC victory for Fortis MMA head coach Sayif Saud. “The General” has been one of the most prominent and successful coaches in the sport over the last several years, and reaching triple digits in the career win column is a testament to the amount of quality talent the Dallas gym has produced to date.
