Roman Dolidze will move up a weight class on short notice to face Anthony Smith at UFC 303.
Dolidze will replace Carlos Ulberg, who withdrew from the event with an undisclosed injury. The Las Vegas-based organization announced the new light heavyweight bout on Friday. UFC 303 will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on June 29 and will feature a light heavyweight championship rematch between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka as the main event.
Dolidze moved down to middleweight after wins over Kadiz Ibragimov and John Allan at UFC’s 205-pound division. The 35-year-old Extreme Couture-signed fighter has gone 4-3 since then, including consecutive decision losses to Nassouddin Imavov and Marvin Vettori.
A former light heavyweight title challenger, Smith has won two of his last three Octagon appearances, most recently with “Lionheart” submitting previously unbeaten Vitor Petrino in the opening stanza of UFC 301.
Ullberg’s withdrawal is the latest change to the 205-pound bout that was originally announced as Khalil Rountree vs. Jamahal Hill. Rountree was forced to withdraw from the bout after failing a drug test, after which Hill withdrew due to injury. Ullberg, who is on a six-fight win streak at UFC, released the statement via social media on Friday.
“unfortunately, [withdrawal] “Following UFC 303, I sustained an injury during training this week and have been advised by my medical team that I will need an extended recovery period,” Ulberg wrote. “I am looking forward to returning in great shape and taking another step towards the top. Thank you all for your continued support.”
— Carlos Ulberg (@UlbergCarlos)
June 21, 2024
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