Roberto Soldic reflects on frustrating ONE Championship run
The UFC newcomer admits he was frustrated by fighting just three times in four years with ONE Championship.
Roberto Soldic is ready to start a new chapter in his career after signing with the UFC. The former KSW two-division champion spent four years with ONE Championship but fought just three times during his time with the promotion. The Croatian fighter revealed that he struggled to find opponents in the organization and wished he had been more active during those years.
Roberto Soldic Frustrated by Lack of Fights in ONE Championship
Soldic signed with ONE in 2022 as one of the biggest free agents in MMA at the time. However, the Croatian competed just three times for the promotion, going 1-1 with one no contest. His most recent appearance came in February 2025, when he knocked out Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev.
The long periods between fights became a source of frustration for Soldic, who said he remained in the gym and stayed in shape despite not having opponents lined up.
"It was hard because I'm always training and always in shape, but I just never got any fights," Soldic told Yahoo! Sports. "Sometimes I asked myself, 'Why do I train so hard when I don't get any fights?' It was a hard time, and I got a little depressed. But you can't change anything, so let's move forward."
Roberto Soldic Explains Why He Left ONE Championship
Soldic's contract with ONE eventually expired in August and the 31-year-old decided not to renew it. According to the Croatian fighter, one of the main reasons was the difficulty in finding opponents.
"My contract expired with ONE Championship, and we didn't want to stay there because it was hard to find opponents," Soldic said. "There were always some complaints about the opponents, and I waited and waited — three fights in four years. It is what it is. I have a new chapter in my life now, and I'm very focused on this fight and making a good UFC debut."
Soldic will now make his UFC debut against Khaos Williams at UFC 332 on Oct. 3 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Croatian fighter enters the promotion with a 21-4 professional record with one no contest, including 18 knockout or TKO victories.
