MMA fighter trains in Ukraine ahead of biggest UFC career fight

When life gets complicated, a common piece of advice is to return to your roots. For MMA fighter Roman Dolidze, returning to his roots was probably the most dangerous thing he could have done.

The Georgian fighter spent the majority of his adult life in Ukraine and developed his mixed martial arts interest and skill set in the Black Sea city of Odesa, after initially taking up a master's degree in management and economics.

After developing a passion for the fight world, Dolidze opened an MMA gym in the city, which allowed him to dive headfirst into the MMA world.

He closed the gym prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 to pursue his career as a full-time fighter, but still holds close ties to Odsea and returned in January ahead of his upcoming fight in London – UFC 286.

The decision to head back to Ukraine was an inspired choice to reconnect with his fighting heritage.

 "I started everything in Ukraine. My first steps in MMA were in Ukraine," Dolidze said this week, as reported by the BBC.

And since returning, Dolidze has not only trained himself, but has also held grappling seminars with his former students. But entering his former home was not as simple as it once was; after all, it is now officially a war zone.

In the past, Dolidze would simply book a flight from Georgia to visit family and friends in Ukraine but his recent journey involved a flight to Turkey, then a flight to Moldova before driving to the Ukrainian border by car, the BBC reported.

"It's quite hard on the border. There are a lot of questions. 'Why? What?' – and stuff like that," he said.

The difficulties don’t stop there. After being granted access into Ukraine, Dolidze found his former home city was a very different place, all but shrouded in darkness. "In the city, the main problem is no light and you can't be outside after 11 pm.

"In the evening, when they are training there is no light but people still try to live a full life as much as possible."

While on paper training without proper resources like power and lighting are less than ideal, Dolidze may bring a stronger mental edge into his fight in London having seen the sacrifices so many of his friends have made for their home country and livelihoods.

"People are very interesting. People always get used to situations. At first, life is changing and you don't know what to do but after a while you find a way how to live,” he told the BBC. “War touches everybody. I have a lot of friends who are in the war. It's a very bad and sad situation. I always say that in war the best people die.”

Dolidze takes on Italy's Marvin Vettori, ranked number four in the division, in London on Saturday as he looks to strengthen his claim for a title shot this year. "It's a very big and important fight for me," Dolidze said.

"After this fight, if I will win this fight, I think a championship title will make sense," Dolidze told mmanews.com, "Because, who is left there? 

"We are different fighters. We have different strengths. He is well-rounded and has some good things, but I have my own stuff that is way better than him. I don't like talking too much. I always say the fight will show. I am always ready and will try to show my best.”