UFC 303's main event has been reshuffled due to Conor McGregor's injury. The new headline features a rematch between UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and former titleholder Jiri Prochazka.
Additionally, injuries and a drug test failure led to the cancellation of the original co-main event.
The new co-main event will see former UFC featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega face off against Diego Lopes.
UFC 303’s Light Heavyweight bout will feature Anthony Smith vs. Roman Dolidze.
Main Card Highlights:
- Main Event: Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka
- Co-Main Event: Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes
- Light Heavyweight Bout: Anthony Smith vs. Roman Dolidze
Fight Info:
- Who: Anthony Smith vs. Roman Dolidze
- Date: Saturday, June 29, 2024
- Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Time: Early Prelims (6:00 p.m. ET), Prelims (8:00 p.m. ET), Pay-Per-View Card (10:00 p.m. ET)
- How to Watch: Early Prelims (ESPN+), Prelims (ESPN), Main Card (ESPN+ PPV)
Fighter Backgrounds
Anthony Smith
- Record: 38-19
- Ranking: No. 10 UFC Light Heavyweight
- Recent Fight: Upset win over Vitor Petrino in May
- Notable Information: Smith is a veteran fighter with a well-rounded skill set, particularly strong on the mat. He was initially set to fight Carlos Ulberg before Ulberg pulled out due to injury.
Roman Dolidze
- Record: 12-3
- Ranking: No. 10 UFC Middleweight
- Recent Fight: Two-fight losing streak
- Notable Information: Dolidze has primarily competed at middleweight but has experience fighting at 205 pounds. He is known for his aggressive style and powerful punches.
Head To Head Stats
| Anthony Smith | Fighter | Roman Dolidze |
| 38-19-0 | Record | 12-3-0 |
| 6' 4" | Height | 6' 2" |
| 205 lbs | Weight | 186 lbs |
| 76" | Reach | 76" |
| Orthodox | Stance | Orthodox |
| 3.23 | Sig Strk LPM | 2.62 |
| 51.93 | Sig Strk Acc | 49.42 |
| 0.49 | Takedown Average | 1.30 |
| 26.67 | Takedown Accuracy | 40.91 |
| 0.67 | Submission Average | 1.30 |
Betting Breakdown
Anthony Smith (+120)
Strengths
- Experience: Smith has been fighting professionally since 2008, boasting significant experience.
- Resilience: Known for his toughness and technical skills.
- Versatility: Can adapt and mix techniques effectively.
Weaknesses
- Leg Kicks: Vulnerable to leg kicks, a weakness exploited in past fights.
- Chin: Concerns about durability following recent knockouts.
- Preparation: Limited preparation time for this fight.
Roman Dolidze (-140)
Strengths
- Pressure Fighter: Known for his aggressive, forward-moving style.
- Power: Majority of his punches are thrown with full power, resulting in several knockout wins.
- Chin: Never been stopped in his career, showcasing a strong chin.
Weaknesses
- Cardio: Has shown issues with stamina, especially in longer fights.
- Defense: Often leaves himself open to counters due to his low guard and powerful but wide hooks.
Best Bets: Anthony Smith vs. Roman Dolidze
While Anthony Smith’s recent victory over Vitor Petrino was impressive, it is important not to overestimate that performance. Roman Dolidze, despite his recent losses, presents a tougher challenge.
Considering Dolidze's power and Smith's vulnerabilities, a reasonable betting pick could be for Dolidze to secure a victory via decision.
Recommended Bet
- Bet: Roman Dolidze to win via decision
| Fighter | Strengths | Weaknesses |
| Anthony Smith | Experience, Resilience, Versatility | Leg Kicks, Chin, Limited Preparation |
| Roman Dolidze | Pressure Fighter, Power, Strong Chin | Cardio, Defense |
Betting on UFC fights involves assessing multiple factors, including fighter strengths, weaknesses, and recent performances.
Will Roman Dolidze leverage his power and resilience to outlast Anthony Smith?
UFC 303: Pereira vs. Procházka 2: Full Fight Card
- Alex Pereira Vs Jiří Procházka (Light Heavyweight - Main Event - Title Fight)
- Brian Ortega Vs Diego Lopes (Featherweight)
- Anthony Smith Vs Roman Dolidze (Light Heavyweight)
- Mayra Bueno Silva Vs Macy Chiasson (Women's Bantamweight)
- Ian Machado Garry Vs Michael Page (Welterweight)
- Joe Pyfer Vs Marc-Andre Barriault (Middleweight)
- Cub Swanson Vs Andre Fili (Featherweight)
- Charles Jourdain Vs Jean Silva (Featherweight)
- Payton Talbott Vs Yanis Ghemmouri (Bantamweight)
- Michelle Waterson-Gomez Vs Gillian Robertson (Women's Strawweight)
- Andrei Arlovski Vs Martin Buday (Heavyweight)
- Rei Tsuruya Vs Carlos Hernandez (Flyweight)
- Ricky Simon Vs Vinicius Oliveira (Bantamweight)