Roberto Soldic, a name notable in mixed martial arts, particularly as the only fighter to have secured a knockout victory over current UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis, is embarking on a rather unexpected path. Following a spectacular knockout win in ONE Championship that seemed to reignite his trajectory in MMA after a period of inconsistent activity, Soldic has announced a temporary pivot away from the cage.
His destination? The boxing ring. And his opponent? Tomasz Adamek, a seasoned former two-weight world champion from Poland, now aged 48. Adamek boasts a distinguished career, having held prominent titles including the WBC light heavyweight and IBF/The Ring magazine cruiserweight championships before his initial retirement in 2018.
Intriguingly, Adamek recently made his own return to combat sports, stepping back into the ring to face Mamed Khalidov. It`s worth noting that Soldic himself defeated Khalidov via knockout in an MMA bout four years prior. Adamek also emerged victorious against Khalidov in their February 2024 boxing match, securing a TKO win when Khalidov suffered a hand injury.
This cross-sport, cross-generational contest between Soldic and Adamek is scheduled to headline FAME 27: KINGDOM in Gliwice, Poland, on September 6th.
Soldic does possess a professional boxing record, standing at 4 wins, 0 losses, all by knockout. However, these fights occurred early in his career, with his last professional boxing appearance dating back to 2017. His decision to return to boxing after a seven-year hiatus, especially right after building momentum in MMA, presents a curious turn in his career narrative.
Naturally, speculation arises regarding Soldic`s future in MMA and the potential for a third fight against Dricus du Plessis, given their competitive 1-1 record. Soldic has previously commented on this possibility, acknowledging the fan interest. While the two fighters are currently signed to different major promotions (Soldic with ONE Championship, Du Plessis with the UFC), Soldic noted that both are still relatively young in their careers, suggesting a future trilogy fight, while not imminent, remains a possibility down the line. “You never know what the future will bring,” he remarked earlier this year.
For the immediate future, however, Roberto Soldic`s focus shifts from the mixed martial arts cage to the professional boxing ring for what promises to be a fascinating and perhaps slightly unusual encounter against a respected veteran of the sport.
