It was nearly two years between fights for Roberto Soldic when he stepped into the ONE 171 cage Thursday. His return didn’t even last two minutes.
In what was one of 2025’s most violent MMA sequences, Soldic (21-4) blasted opponent Dagi Arslanaliev airborne with a big left hand. Arslanaliev (9-3) slammed unconsciously to the canvas face-first where he was met with big follow-up punches. The stoppage came at 1:55 of Round 1.
Soldic, 30, had not competed since May 2023. He is a former KSW double c champion and remains the only man to hold a knockout win over current UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis.
The victory Thursday was his first under the ONE banner since he signed with the promotion in 2022. A coveted free agent acquisition, Soldic was unable to pocket wins in either of his first two appearances. His debut ended in a groin strike no contest and he was knocked out by underdog Zebaztian Kadestam in his second promotional apperance.
Prior to the fight, Soldic told MMA Junkie that he felt he reinvented himself during his time away from competition and hoped to remain more active moving forward.
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