Combat sports careers often take unexpected turns, but the latest move from Roberto Soldic is particularly noteworthy. The Croatian fighter, widely recognized as the only man to hold a knockout victory over current UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis, is set to pause his burgeoning momentum in mixed martial arts for a step back into the world of boxing. And his opponent? A legend from a different era: 48-year-old former two-weight world boxing champion, Tomasz Adamek.
Soldic recently reminded the MMA world of his explosive power with a stunning Knockout of the Year contender under the ONE Championship banner. This performance seemed to indicate a clear path forward, solidifying his position as a top contender after a period marked by inconsistency and layoffs. Yet, the announcement of his upcoming bout reveals a decided pivot away from that trajectory.
The Curious Case of Soldic vs. Adamek
While Soldic does possess a professional boxing record of 4-0, with all wins coming by knockout, these bouts date back to 2017. His upcoming opponent, Tomasz Adamek, brings a significantly deeper and more decorated boxing pedigree. Adamek, whose illustrious career saw him capture WBC light heavyweight and IBF/The Ring cruiserweight titles, retired in 2018 with a record of 53-6.
Adding a layer of narrative intrigue, Adamek recently returned to combat sports himself, securing a TKO victory against Mamed Khalidov in February 2024 due to a hand injury suffered by Khalidov. This is notable because Soldic also holds a dominant knockout win over Khalidov from their MMA encounter four years prior. A peculiar convergence of opponents indeed.
The Soldic vs. Adamek boxing match is scheduled to take place on September 6th in Gliwice, Poland, under the FAME 27: KINGDOM event banner. FAME, known for its unconventional matchups often involving celebrities or crossover athletes, provides the stage for this rather unique pairing.
For many, the decision for Soldic to momentarily abandon his path in MMA, especially after a significant highlight-reel win, to face a veteran boxer nearing his half-century mark, raises questions. Is it a calculated risk to raise his profile? A lucrative opportunity? Or simply a fascinating detour for a fighter known for seeking challenges? Regardless, it`s a fight that has certainly captured attention due to its sheer unlikeliness.
What About the Du Plessis Trilogy?
Despite this boxing foray, the name Dricus du Plessis continues to hang over Soldic`s future in MMA. Fans who witnessed their initial two thrilling encounters are naturally curious about a potential trilogy, especially with Du Plessis now holding the highest honor in the sport. Though competing in different promotions (ONE and UFC respectively), Soldic hasn`t ruled out the possibility of a third meeting down the line.
Speaking earlier this year, Soldic acknowledged the fan interest and left the door open: “Who knows, we are still young guys… I wish him all the best, but you never know. I’m 30, he’s like 31, so we’re young guys, so who knows what the future will bring… Me and Dricus trilogy? You never know.”
For now, however, the focus shifts from the cage to the canvas. Roberto Soldic`s career takes an unexpected, perhaps even bizarre, turn as he prepares to test his boxing skills against a seasoned Polish legend. It`s a fight that offers little clarity on his MMA future but guarantees a spectacle unlike any other currently scheduled.
