Croatian MMA sensation Roberto Soldic had a rocky start to his ONE Championship journey but made a triumphant return in his last fight, showcasing his true capabilities by knocking out Dagi Arslanaliev in the opening round of their welterweight clash at ONE 171: Qatar in February last year.
Soldic, also known as ‘Robocop’, had been absent from the ONE Championship scene for two years before his comeback fight against Arslanaliev. In a statement-making performance, Soldic ended the bout with a devastating counter left that left his opponent unconscious on the canvas, earning him accolades for one of the best knockout finishes of 2025.
ONE Championship revisited the epic moment on Instagram, sharing multiple angles of Soldic’s stunning knockout punch. Prior to this victory, Soldic had faced setbacks in his previous two matches in the promotion.
His debut in ONE on Prime Video 5 in December 2022 ended in a no-contest due to an accidental low blow, while he suffered a knockout loss to former welterweight world champion Zebaztian Kadestam at ONE Fight Night 10 in May 2023. However, his recent win over Arslanaliev served as a stark reminder of Soldic’s prowess in the cage.
Reflecting on his rough start in ONE Championship, Soldic expressed his satisfaction with the win and emphasized the importance of learning from past experiences. In an interview with the promotion, Soldic acknowledged the ups and downs he had faced and credited his ability to make necessary adjustments in his game and mindset.
The 30-year-old fighter from UFD Gym stated, “It feels good. I feel amazing. It is what I do always. This is my job, you know, and I’m not surprised because I know what I can do. I’ll keep going. Sometimes you have in life ups and downs, but now, everything is alright.”
Soldic also mentioned the significance of taking breaks from competition and how his time away from the sport had reignited his passion for fighting. With his sights set on the welterweight MMA world title currently held by Christian Lee, Soldic is eager to continue his winning streak and pursue championship gold.
In conclusion, Roberto Soldic’s impressive victory over Dagi Arslanaliev serves as a warning to the welterweight division in ONE Championship that he is back and ready to make a run for the title. With renewed focus and determination, Soldic is poised to make a strong push towards championship glory in the promotion.
[Publisher Name: Edited by Saiyed Adeem Karim]
