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On a three-fight winning streak, Roman Dolidze has some pretty lofty ideas about what should be next on his resume.
But Dolidze also knows getting whom he most would like standing across from him could come down to timing. In the case of former middleweight champions Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker, whom he's called out, that be the situation.
Dolidze (15-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) told MMA Junkie Radio he would prefer to fight someone ahead of him in the rankings – naturally – and Adesanya or Whittaker wins on top of what he's already got could warrant a title shot.
He'd almost rather just take what the UFC gives him instead of getting his hopes up.
"I'm not saying a (specific) name because there are many guys who are on top of me (in the rankings)," Dolidze said. "There's Jared Cannonier, there's Caio Borralho. The one guy maybe I don't want to fight is Sean Strickland because we are training in the same gym."
Cannonier and Borralho hold the two spots above his slot at 8 in the UFC's official rankings. Further up are Adesanya and Whittaker, Strickland, presumed next title challenger Khamzat Chimaev and Nassourdine Imavov — and champ Dricus Du Plessis.
After three straight wins over former 205-pound title challenger Anthony Smith in a light heavyweight one-off, Kevin Holland and former middleweight title challenger Marvin Vettori, Dolidze clearly wants another recognizable name.
If he had to fight down, though, he'd consider it – and thinks late June for International Fight Week in Las Vegas would be a great time for it.
"I always wanted to fight Bo Nickal," he said. "Smart-style wise? (I'd fight him) International Fight Week. But Roman-style wise? I can fight next week – no problem."
Check out Dolidze's full interview in the video above.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC's Roman Dolidze wants Bo Nickal in lieu of Adesanya or Whittaker
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