Roberto Soldic didn’t have probably the most nice expertise in his highly-anticipated ONE Championship debut this previous Dec. 2022.
The 28-year-old Soldic (20-3) entered the promotion using excessive on a seven-fight unbeaten streak with two Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW) titles (Welterweight and Middleweight) on his resume. Sadly for “Robocop,” his ONE debut ended solely three minutes into the motion after he sustained an unlawful knee to the groin from his opponent, Murad Ramazanov, leading to a no-contest.
“For positive [it was the hardest nut shot in my life],” Soldic instructed MMA Mania. “A extremely, actually onerous one. I’m very unhappy as a result of first combat in ONE Championship and that occurred to me. I used to be prepared for every part, however not for this, for a no-contest. It’s actually silly as a result of I couldn’t proceed as a result of the hit was so onerous. I used to be not 100%. Once I went within the cage, I used to be 100%, however after this low blow, man, you aren’t there. I made a one-time mistake and I continued to combat, however I discovered this isn’t my fault. The man threw the knee that’s not possible [to defend] on this place you may solely hit within the balls.
“I used to be very unhappy as a result of preparation and on that day, every part was good,” he continued. “Even when he took me down for 10 seconds, I acquired up. He felt my energy, too. My wrestling and I simply don’t know why he threw that knee. Perhaps he didn’t management himself, I don’t know. That is adrenaline, I combat, I perceive, however the man is 16-0, [including] beginner fights, he is aware of what he’s doing. However wrestlers, they all the time go loopy. I don’t know. I’m centered on Kadestam. Murad is the previous. I ordered a brand new cup, metal cup (laughs).”
Ideally, Soldic received’t want his metal cup going ahead, however after previous incidences, he knew well being needed to be prioritized. A rematch with Ramazanov immediately felt like an apparent transfer. As a substitute, ONE instructed Soldic proper after his no-contest that it needed him to compete at ONE Battle Night time 10 on Might 5, 2023. The present will act because the promotion’s debut on U.S. soil in Denver, Colorado, and might now present a fair larger, and correct, debut for the previous double champion.
Because of Soldic’s accolades in his profession to date, an prompt title shot for his first ONE look wouldn’t have been a loopy thought and is arguably what ought to have occurred. Whereas the belt is actually a objective, Soldic hopes to be the one to carry ONE to Croatia for one more huge location debut. First, he’ll need to get by way of the previous 185-pound champion, Zebaztian Kadestam, and expects a Ramazanov rematch will come to fruition down the road.
“[Kadestam] was the previous champ, he referred to as me out earlier than,” Soldic mentioned. “He referred to as me out after I went to Singapore and he broke his proper hand with an uppercut from his final combat and so they gave me Murad. So, he’s an undefeated man from Russia, good wrestling, good every part. I settle for the combat. I didn’t say I need Kiamrian Abbasov, who was the champ on the time. I simply hear, I’m going to Singapore, we make the deal, doesn’t matter. The one query is what time do I get the belt?
“Kadestam was a ONE champion so this additionally means one thing as a result of I simply get the perfect guys,” he added. “Kadestam, Murad, I hope we meet with [the current champion] Christian Lee. I don’t know who would be the champ, however what ONE decides and after they give me the title shot, I’ll take it. My factor is to combat and so they need to resolve if I deserve it or not.”
