Roman Dolidze: "Today WWFC title is my main achievement"

On June 16th appeared new WWFC World Champion. A consummate master of grappling, talented and ambitious Roman Dolidze won the title in the light heavyweight division, in one of the major fights of the tournament WWFC 11 in Kyiv sports Palace, having brightly knocked out the sophisticated guest fr om Brazil Eder de Souza.

As Roman confessed himself, it was the most difficult his opponent in professional MMA. And the knockout was the strongest in his entire career in the martial arts. Probably not the least because Dolidze, even as a master, continues to improve continuously his skills. It is terrible to imagine what awaits his next opponents.

In the meantime, to your attention is an interview with the winner, who answered questions about the past match and not only.

— Roman, you were already a world champion in grappling, and has now raised over your head and the title of champion in MMA. When emotions were stronger and brighter? Describe what feels and what thinks the athlete at this moment?

— At such moments, emotions are overwhelming, but the realization that the battle is over and you are the champion of the world, taking up over emotions, and I become very calm, with a sense of the next executed task on the way to even bigger top!

— Is it fair to say that it was your most difficult opponent and fight in professional MMA?

— Exactly, at the moment, Eder de Souza was the strongest athlete on my career path.

— In the first round you have not managed to use you "crown" and the transfer of the Brazilian to the canvas. Then, in the second round, You have not sought to come closer as before, and began to compete in stand-up. Was it difficult to adjust during the match?

— The fact is that the preparation for this match mainly consisted of working on the hit technique, and I was ready to such turn of events. Moreover, I was determined to finish the fight by the hit technique.

— Did the Brazilian surprise you with anything?

— The fight began with his very unexpected to me direct left, I stood in my usual distance, but his arm length allowed him to hit me. It made me change tactics.

— In the end the trouble for de Souza came clearly fr om where he was not expecting: in the second round, you put him in a knockout by exact hit right in the head. When he was falling, did you realize it was unreal to up after this?

-  Yeah, when I saw him lying, was sure that he would not stand up.

— You for the first time in professional career, if we talk about MMA, knocked out his opponent with one blow. Did something like that ever happen to you before considering that you have mastership primarily in grappling and wrestling?

— Knockouts happen, but such strong – for the first time.

— Tell me honestly, what is nicer: to force opponent to tap after choke or painful submission, or like that "nailing" him to the cover with a powerful hit?

— There's nothing to hide, of course, knockout is more desirable (smiles).

— You become more and more popular among the fans. And how do you feel about popularity? The attention of the public, photos with you or autographs – it's more a burden or happy?

At this stage I take it easy. Nice to know that what you're doing, inspires someone, gives someone an incentive to train, and  just gives pleasure.

— Before the fight you said that now your main motivation and immediate goal – winning the title WWFC. Now the belt is yours, which plans and objectives are  next?

— No doubt, a prestigious belt of WWFC – my crowning achievement to date. But this goal is passed, as the next step to a higher peak.

— On the night of 7 to 8th July, the champion of UFC in a light heavyweight Daniel Cormier made seemingly impossible and won the title in the heavy category, knocking out Stipe Miocic. Did you generally admit that this could happen?

— It's MMA wh ere anything can happen, but only one hit can decide the outcome of the fight. It is, in fact, happened.

— By the way, since we touched on this subject. Don't you plan to write the history of WWFC and try to become the first champion in two categories? We are now about your possible move to heavy weight...

— I haven't thought about it, but everything is possible! (smiles)

— in addition to active participation, and you are a coach in your own fight club. Do you ever have a break from sports? When and wh ere, did you have a rest last time?

— In fact, it is rare when I can really stay without sports. As to the holidays, the last time I flew home to Georgia for a week.

— When are you going to please the audience with a performance as the actual champion WWFC?

— I'm ready to play at every tournament WWFC, and the negotiations for my next fight are already underway.

— Tell something to your fans- they will be very happy.

— I want to express my gratitude for the support that I felt before the fight and during the fight, and after its completion. You are very important and valuable for me, going to the fight, I am charged with your energy! And from my part, I will try to please you more  often!