Roberto Soldic Looks Back On Knocking Out DDP In 2018

Roberto Soldic is locked in ahead of his ONE Championship return on Thursday, February 20. The Croatian star will meet Dagi Arslanaliev at ONE 171: Qatar in a welterweight MMA showdown. Ahead of their anticipated brawl inside the Circle, Soldic had time to reflect on one of his biggest wins to date.

In 2018, Soldic and now UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus du Plessis squared off on two occasions in KSW. The first meeting ended with du Plessis taking the KSW Welterweight Championship by TKO. Six months later, the fortunes changed with Soldic earning a massive knockout win to reclaim the gold.

Roberto Soldic Talks About Finishing Dricus du Plessis

Before “Robocop” returns in Qatar, he sat down to discuss the KSW 45 victory. After their initial meeting, Soldic believed that du Plessis never upgraded his skill set, allowing him to easily pick up on what his rival was doing inside the cage. It allowed him to end the match with a brutal KO.

“When we got into the third round, he was also in deep waters. It was a tough fight for both of us. He doesn’t give up. He always looks like he’s unskilled, but he has really skilled straight punches, a good left high kick, he can take you down, he can submit you. He’s a fill complete MMA fighter. But, you know, I read everything that he throws. I was patient. I waited for the mistake, and I got the third-round KO with a left knee and left punch. When I connect, the fight is over,” Roberto Soldic recalled.

DDP’s Status as UFC Champ Not a Shock to Roberto Soldic

To this day, Soldic feels that du Plessis is the same man he fought in 2018. But that does not mean he doesn’t respect the South African. Soldic still compliments his past foe and has turned his attention to competing in ONE’s MMA divisions.

Don’t sleep on Roberto Soldic’s POWER 💥 Can “Robocop” knock out Dagi Arslanaliev at ONE 171: Qatar? @Soldic_MMA @VisitQatar#ONE171 #VisitQatar | Feb 20 5PM AST/9AM ET🌎 Live TV broadcast in 190+ countries (check local listings)🎟️ Tickets 👉 https://t.co/dCTasAOzBx pic.twitter.com/pS66XRK63X

— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) February 18, 2025

“I’m not surprised that he’s UFC champion because he gave me really tough fights. But, you know, I believe in my skills and that’s why I got him in the third round with the KO. His last defeat is from me. Now I’m in ONE Championship. I’m focused on this future and I’m trying to get MMA gold for ONE Championship,”  Soldic stated.

Looking Ahead to Roberto Soldic’s Next Fight in ONE 171

After a rough start in ONE, Roberto Soldic is looking to grab his first victory in the promotion on Thursday. Arslanaliev will try to turn the Croatian away while adding to his long list of finishes. The welterweight war has all the makings to be an explosive showdown.

ONE 171: Qatar airs live on Thursday, February 20. The action begins at 10 a.m. EST/7 a.m. PST. The event is free on ONE’s official YouTube channel.