UFC Vegas 85 start time, full fight card details | Dolidze vs. Imavov

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is headed back to UFC Apex later TONIGHT (Sat., Feb. 3, 2024) in Las Vegas, Nevada to stage UFC Vegas 85. Headlining the ESPN+-streamed event will be a Middleweight bout between Roman Dolidze vs. Nassourdine Imavov. In the co-main event, Renato Moicano takes on Drew Dober in an all-action Lightweight affair.

UFC’s Middleweight division has a new king in Dricus du Plessis — who defeated Sean Strickland via split-decision at UFC 297 (see it here) — and now the South African champion is the one with the huge target on his back. Since Nov. 2022, the title has changed hands a whopping four times, so that has to give rising contenders a glimmer of hope that a title fight (and win) is very possible ... especially now that the boogeyman is ruling the Light Heavyweight division. Among those trying to scratch and claw their way into contention are Dolidze and Imavov, who are ranked No. 8 and No. 11, respectively.

Dolidze had his roll slowed a bit after his four-fight win streak was snapped courtesy of Marvin Vettori in his last outing. Still, the hard-hitting 185-pound contender is 6-2 inside the Octagon, which has helped him remain in the Top 10. Imavov hasn’t had much luck in his last two outings, either, coming off a “No Contest” against Chris Curtis because of an accidental clash of heads, which was preceded by a unanimous decision loss to former champion, Sean Strickland.

Dolidze has an upper hand when it comes to the grappling department thanks to his experience competing in the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC). That said, he does have more knockout wins that Imavov (7 to 5), so he can get the job done anywhere. Imavov may have a tad bit of quickness on his side, but what it boils down to his aggressiveness, and Dolidze can put the pressure on and smother his way to a win, as well. Both men have yet to reach double digit fights inside the Octagon, but have made an impression in a short amount of time. That means that a win here pushes the victor up the ladder.

Tags: UFC, UFC Vegas 85, ESPN+, Renato Moicano, Drew Dober

Category:  Ufc