Roman Dolidze will have a close friend in his corner for the main event of UFC Vegas 109 on August 9.
The Georgian Middleweight is facing a tough test in Las Vegas when he takes on the impressive Anthony Hernandez in the showcase fight at the UFC Apex.
Both men are in the top ten Middleweights in the division, and a win for either could help propel them towards a match against UFC Middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis, should he survive his own title fight at UFC 319.
To help give him the edge, Roman Dolidze has recruited a world champion fighter whom he knows very well to join him in his corner for the bout.
Roman Dolidze confirmed that Merab Dvalishvili will be in his corner for UFC Vegas 109
In his best attempt to get the win at UFC Vegas 109, Dolidze has recruited UFC Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili to be in his corner for his fight with Hernandez.
His fellow Georgian will walk out with “The Caucasian” before the fight, along with his regular cornermen, supporting Dolidze as a friend during one of the biggest fights of his career.
Dolidze told Fighters Only that he is good friends with both Ilia Topuria and Dvalishvili, showing solidarity with his fellow Georgian fighters, although only the latter will join him in the octagon on August 9.
“Both of these guys are good, my friends. I know both of them very well,” Dolidze said.
“Merab will be in my corner also (this Saturday). But I don’t need anybody’s success to push me to go forward.”
Merab Dvalishvili has been friends with Roman Dolidze for years, even barbequing together outside of the octagon
Dolidze’s friendship with Dvalishvili goes back to when they both came to the United States to compete in the UFC, although Dolidze spent the first year of that suspended.
Dvalishvili competed in the Georgian MMA scene while Dolidze fought in Ukraine after taking up the sport at 28, but they have been firm friends for many years in the United States.
The pair has been known to spend a lot of time together, as Dolidze has been featured numerous times on Dvalishvili’s YouTube channel.
These include the Georgian’s enjoying barbeques together, along with Aljamain Sterling, as they forged a strong bond outside of the octagon.
Dvalishvili’s support could be crucial to giving Dolidze that extra boost to help him succeed at UFC Vegas 109 on Saturday.