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Welterweight powerhouse Dagi Arslanaliev is unfazed by Roberto Soldic’s knockout reputation as the two prepare for a thrilling showdown at ONE 171: Qatar on Thursday, February 20, inside Lusail Sports Arena in Doha, Qatar.
While Soldic has built a fearsome reputation as one of Europe’s most lethal strikers—becoming a two-division champion in KSW before joining ONE Championship—Arslanaliev isn’t buying into the hype. The Turkish standout has been a staple of ONE since 2016, battling elite competition and even reaching the ONE Lightweight MMA World Grand Prix Final.
With his extensive experience, Arslanaliev remains confident in dismantling the Croatian’s offense.
"Maybe Soldic is a very tough guy, but I haven’t seen anything particularly dangerous from him,” the 30-year-old stated. "Any opponent can be dangerous if you yawn and sleep with your mouth open, you know? Then anything can happen.”
Arslanaliev hasn’t competed in MMA since 2021, but he’s ready to re-establish himself as a force in the division. Despite the layoff, he remains a dangerous and well-rounded threat, fully prepared to push Soldic beyond his comfort zone.
Soldic, known for his 17 knockouts in 20 professional victories, thrives on finishing fights quickly. However, Arslanaliev has no intention of letting him dictate the pace. Instead, he plans to drag the bout into the later rounds, where he believes he can break the Croatian star.
"For me, it would be better to take the fight to the later rounds,” Arslanaliev explained. "That way, when my opponent tires, I can show something special to the audience.”
With two elite warriors looking to make a statement, ONE 171: Qatar promises fireworks. But while Soldic may be aiming for another highlight-reel finish, Arslanaliev is determined to prove he is the superior fighter by making it a grueling battle.