Former UFC middleweight champion Robert "The Reaper" Whittaker is set to make his return to the Octagon in his home country. Whittaker will face No. 7 ranked contender Roman Dolidze at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia, on August 17, 2025. The bout is expected to be a pivotal clash in the 185-pound division, with significant title implications.
Whittaker (26-7) is coming off a spectacular first-round knockout victory over Ikram Aliskerov in June. The dominant performance put the Australian star right back in the win column after a decision loss to current champion Dricus Du Plessis. A decisive win over Dolidze on home soil could position Whittaker for another shot at the middleweight title he once held.
Roman Dolidze (13-3), from Georgia, will be looking to secure the biggest win of his career. Known for his powerful striking and grappling prowess, Dolidze is coming off a hard-fought decision loss to Nassourdine Imavov in February. A victory over a figure like Whittaker would catapult him into the top tier of the division and firmly establish him as a title contender.
The matchup presents a classic striker vs. grappler dynamic, although both fighters are well-rounded. Whittaker's precise, high-volume striking and stellar takedown defense will be tested against Dolidze's raw power and opportunistic submission game.
UFC 305 is shaping up to be a major event, with the middleweight title fight between champion Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya slated as the main event. The addition of Whittaker vs. Dolidze adds significant depth and local star power to the highly anticipated card in Perth.
