UFC 303: Anthony Smith vs. Roman Dolidze: Live round-by-round updates

The UFC 303 Anthony Smith vs. Roman Dolidze round-by-round updates will carry readers through the action of the third-last bout of the main card. The matchup, which originally featured neither Smith nor Dolidze, has undergone several changes.

At first, it was Jamahal Hill making a quick turnaround against Khalil Rountree Jr., who withdrew from the fight after admitting to unintentionally taking a banned substance. He was replaced by light heavyweight prospect Carlos Ulberg, who would have had a massive test against the former 205-pound king.

Unfortunately, Hill withdrew from the bout, and Smith stepped in on short notice. But in yet another twist, Ulberg pulled out of the bout for as-of-yet undisclosed reasons and was replaced by middleweight mainstay Dolidze.

Smith expressed frustration with the state of the light heavyweight division. According to him, multiple 205-pounders refused to face him, forcing the UFC to reach out to Dolidze, a middleweight. The bout is unlikely to do much for either man's title aspirations, but both are eager to win, with Dolidze claiming that he intends to be ranked at both middleweight and light heavyweight.

'Lionheart' puts his 38-19 record on the line, having recently beaten a young prospect in Vitor Petrino at UFC 301, making his UFC 303 a quick turnaround. Dolidze, meanwhile, is far less experienced at 12-3, and is currently on a two-fight skid, having lost to Nassourdine Imavov and Marvin Vettori.

Yet, Dolidze is a -142 favorite, while Smith is a +120 underdog, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.

Follow Sportskeeda for live updates and play-by-play analysis of the light heavyweight clash.

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UFC 303: Anthony Smith vs. Roman Dolidze

Round 1

Dolidze opens the fight with a low kick and follows that up with a hard round kick to the body. Dolidze is controlling the striking engagements with kicks. Smith catches him with a counter right as Dolidze has his kicking leg off the mat. Smith applying pressure now, but Dolidze wards it off with a lunging right hand.

Both men trade low kicks. Dolidze lands a partially blocked right hand. Smith fires back with his own right. Another low kick for Smith, which is quickly answered in kind by Dolidze. A lot of hand fighting. Smith is heavy on the pressure and misses with a low kick. A hard low kick lands for Dolidze.

They keep trading hard low kicks, although Smith checks a few. There's not much action besides the kicks. Dolidze lunges in with an overhand right but misses. They stumble into the clinch and Dolidze lands a hard right. Smith slips, he's not hurt. The round ends with a brief exchange.

Round 2

A hard low kick attempt from Dolidze, but he misses. Dolidze lands a nice one-two as Smith has his kicking leg off the mat. Smith keeps half-lifting his leg, anticipating a low kick, but he eats one anyway. Dolidze lunges in with a right hand, and both men stumble onto the mat.

Dolidze is on top, landing ground-and-pound, but Smith is fine, as it wasn't a knockdown. The Georgian is on Smith's back, but the American is controlling the wrist. Not much action. Dolidze appears to be using the position to refill his gas tank after that flurry.

Dolidze lands some nice punches as he keeps Smith grounded. Smith tries to stand, but Dolidze is heavy on his back. There's not much action, but Dolidze lands a knee to Smith's head. It's legal though, as Smith was working his way to his feet.

Both men are standing now. Smith tries to swarm Dolidze, but nothing of consequence lands as they close out the round feinting at range.

Round 3

Dolidze tries a slow low kick but it lands anyway. Both men are tired. Smith lands his own low kick, which briefly kicks the Georgian out of his stance. Dolidze taunts him with a dance. Smith smiles. It's a bewildering moment. They keep tapping each other with low kicks.

Dolidze tries to land a flurry but misses. Smith is slowing down even more and whiffs on a right hand. The Georgian eats a right hand and attempts a takedown but it was never going to succeed. Dolidze goes for a very slow spinning back fist, but eats a right hand from Smith.

A left hand lands for Dolidze, who is sniped by a jab from Smith seconds afterward. Both men flurry but nothing lands. The fans are booing as there's little action. Dolidze lands a spinning back kick to the body as the fight ends.

Official Decision: Roman Dolidze def. Anthony Smith via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)