Roman
Dolidze is moving up a weight class to face Anthony
Smith on short notice at UFC
303.
Advertisement
Dolidze will replace Carlos
Ulberg, who withdrew from the event due to an undisclosed
injury. The Las Vegas-based promotion announced the new light
heavyweight bout on Friday. UFC 303 takes place on June 29 at the
T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and is headlined by a light heavyweight
championship rematch between Alex
Pereira and Jiri
Prochazka.
Dolidze earned triumphs over Khadis
Ibragimov and John Allan
at 205 pounds in UFC competition before transitioning to the
middleweight division. The 35-year-old Xtreme Couture
representative has gone 4-3 since then and is coming off
back-to-back decision defeats against Nassourdine
Imavov and Marvin
Vettori.
A former light heavyweight title challenger, Smith has been
victorious in two of his last three Octagon appearances. Most
recently, “Lionheart” submitted the previously unbeaten Vitor
Petrino in the opening stanza at UFC 301.
Ulberg’s withdrawal is the latest change to a 205-pound contest
that was originally announced as Khalil
Rountree vs. Jamahal
Hill. Rountree was forced to exit the event due to a failed
drug test, and then Hill pulled out due to injury. Ulberg, who has
won six straight outings in the UFC, released a statement via
social media on Friday.
“I regret to announce my [withdrawal] from UFC 303. I suffered an
injury during training this week and my medical team have advised
that extended time is required to heal,” Ulberg wrote. “We look
forward to return in spectacular form and a step closer to the top.
I appreciate all of your ongoing support.”
— Carlos Ulberg (@UlbergCarlos)
June 21, 2024