Zebaztian Kadestam relishes facing a big name like Roberto Soldic - “He has all the hype”

Former ONE welterweight world champion Zebaztian Kadestam is looking forward to facing a marquee name like Roberto Soldic in his next fight in May in the United States.

'The Bandit' will take on 'Robocop' in a featured welterweight clash at ONE Fight Night 10 on Prime Video on May 5 at the 1stBank Center in Colorado. It is part of the promotion’s first live event on U.S. soil.

Zebaztian Kadestam shared with ONE that he is very excited to take on one of the top fighters to come out of Europe and admitted that there is a lot at stake for him in this fight:

“It’s a name. Everybody knows him. He has all the hype, and I want it. I would fight anyone in the world, but this is a winning situation for me. I have a lot to take from this.”

Zebaztian Kadestam has won back-to-back fights after hitting a rough patch. His latest victory came at the expense of Iuri Lapicus of Moldova in August by way of a first-round knockout. 'The Bandit' became world champion in November 2018 after knocking out American fighter Tyler McGuire in Jakarta.

Soldic, meanwhile, was a highly sought-after free agent last year before deciding to sign with ONE. He made his promotional debut back in December. It was, however, uneventful as it was ruled a no-contest due to his opponent Murad Ramazanov striking him with an accidental knee to the groin in the opening round.

ONE Fight Night 10 is headlined by the trilogy fight between ONE flyweight world champion Demetrious Johnson and former division king Adriano Moraes. It will be aired live and for free to all Prime Video subscribers in North America.

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“He’s a good fighter” - Zebaztian Kadestam believes Roberto Soldic is the real deal

Former ONE welterweight world champion Zebaztian Kadestam was one of the fighters who got excited when Croatian star Roberto Soldic decided to sign up with ONE Championship last year.

'The Bandit' did not waste too much time in calling out 'Robocop' for a match after he scored a win in his last fight back in August.

Zebaztian Kadestam said:

“I also heard they have just signed a monster. I love fighting monsters. Roberto Soldic, let’s go!”

He further underscored his wish to take on Soldic in an interview with the South China Morning Post, describing the decorated fighter as the “real deal” who would bring the best out of him:

“Man, I know he’s winning a lot of fights and he’s doing a good job, so I’m not one to say that he’s a hype train. No, he’s a good fighter. But I believe that I can beat him, and that’s like an extra bonus that he has a lot of hype.”

Adding:

“I’ve seen his style and I believe my style can match up good to his style.”

Zebaztian Kadestam had his wish granted recently when ONE billed him against Soldic for the promotion’s first-ever show in the United States at ONE Fight Night 10 on Prime Video on May 5 in Colorado.

There he hopes to continue his momentum, following impressive back-to-back wins, which both came by way of knockouts inside the opening round.