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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Simon Head and John Morgan

Roman Dolidze said heated staredown prompted highlight-reel finish at UFC on ESPN+ 30

ABU DHABI – Roman Dolidze beat Khadis Ibragimov with a first-round TKO Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN+ 30 in Abu Dhabi.

Take a look inside the fight with Dolidze, who picked up a highlight-reel finish on his octagon debut.

Result: Roman Dolidze def. Khadis Ibragimov via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:15
Updated records: Dolidze (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Ibragimov (8-3 MMA, 0-3 UFC)
Key stat: Dolidze extended his 100 percent finishing rate with his fifth first-round finish, and his fourth successive knockout.

Dolidze on his knockout record

“I am only two years in MMA. Of course, I’m surprised because I’m a grappler and I KO people. It’s strange!”

Dolidze on his pre-fight chat with Michael Bisping

“We had a conversation and he asked me, ‘You’re only two years in MMA now you’re in the UFC. Are you happy? Is this your dream?’ I said no, it’s not my dream, I have other goals in my life. But really, I’m very excited to be here and it’s a big thing for me.”

Dolidze on what fired him up

“For me, I don’t like when someone at the weigh-ins is looking at me like crazy. And this guy started looking at me like crazy. It was a big mistake for him.”

To hear more from Dolidze, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

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