Georgian fighters have hit a peak in multiple promotions, and last month, Merab Dvalishvili became the second UFC champion after Ilia Topuria. Trying to follow in his footsteps is 36-year-old Roman Dolidze. Since making his debut in the UFC, Dolidze has impressed everyone with his overall skill set. He was once unbeaten in his four consecutive fights, but his recent form has taken a toll.
Despite starting his MMA career only eight years back, ‘Brutal’ has become a fan favorite because of his electric fighting style. However, his coaches should be credited for the success he has had in his short career. But whom exactly does he train with? Let us find out.
Who is Roman Dolidze’s coach? Where is his gym located?
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Roman Dolidze started his mixed martial arts career at an age when most people generally retire from the sport. ‘The Caucasian’ comes from a grappling background and has an impressive resume under his belt. He is a former winner of the ADCC Asia and Oceania, as well as the FILA World. While he does hail from Georgia, a lack of infrastructure forced him to look for better opportunities, and he started training at Xtreme Couture. However, he has had his share of ups and downs in the UFC, but one thing that has remained constant is his willingness to work hard.
The Middleweight trains under the watchful eyes of Eric Nicksickthe head coach of Xtreme Couture. For most of the fans who are not aware, the Georgian fighter played professional football for eight years. His last three years saw him play professionally as a goalkeeper in Turkey. He took a special liking towards MMA while studying shipbuilding engineering in Ukraine and, in a very short time, gained recognition. Dolidize currently holds a record of 7-3 in the UFC and has won three out of his last five fights. At 36 years old, the Georgian fighter is learning new skills and looking to get back to winning ways.
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Eric Nicksick is, without a doubt, one of the finest coaches in the MMA circuit. However, he does have a fantastic team, along with some quality fighters, which help Dolidze prepare for his fights. Let us take a closer look at the fighters the Georgian constantly trains with to elevate his skill level.
A list of Roman Dolidze’s teammates
Roman Dolidze is one of those fighters who constantly works on his skill set and stays in shape all year long. One of his training partners is former middleweight champion Sean Strickland. ‘Tarzan’ is famous for his intense sparring sessions, and the Georgian seems to enjoy working with him. He also trains with Chris Curtis and often travels to Nevada because of a lack of good sparring partners in his home country. The 36-year-old will be hoping that all his hard work comes off when he takes on Kevin Holland at UFC 307.
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“The main thing is that I’m always hungry to grow, and I always think that I need to work a lot. Working, training, and going forward.” This is the motto that Dolidze follows in his life, and he is determined to get a title shot soon in his career. Standing in his way is Kevin Holland, who is fresh off a victory at UFC 302. The 31-year-old is one of the most unorthodox fighters in the division and relies mainly on his speed inside the Octagon. However, Dolidze will look to use his elite wrestling skills and keep the fight on the ground as much as possible.
Who do you think will win the fight between the two at UFC 307? Let us know your favorites in the comments below.