After nearly four years and only three MMA fights, the Croatian fighter has ended his partnership with the Asian organization. FNC has a contract and an opponent ready, but the outcome of negotiations with the UFC is still pending.
Roberto Soldić, at 31 years old and one of Croatia's leading MMA fighters, is no longer part of ONE Championship, which is now official. The news of the contract termination with the Asian organization was confirmed by the fighter himself in a social media post, thanking ONE for the collaboration and announcing a new chapter in his career. This brings to an end an episode that, in terms of the number of appearances, fell far short of expectations.
Soldić's professional MMA record stands at 21 wins and four losses, with one fight declared a no contest. Of those 21 victories, 18 came by knockout or technical knockout, which speaks volumes about his finishing ability.
He joined ONE Championship in the summer of 2022 as one of the biggest free agents on the market. Before that, he had captured KSW titles in both the welterweight and middleweight divisions, and the UFC had also shown interest. Ultimately, he chose Asia, partly due to the opportunity to compete in various martial arts disciplines.
However, during the nearly four years he was under contract, he competed in only three MMA bouts. His first appearance against Murad Ramazanov in December 2022 ended in a no contest due to an illegal groin strike. In May 2023, he suffered a knockout loss to Zebaztian Kadestam. It wasn't until February 2025 that he secured a victory, a spectacular first-round knockout of Dagi Arslanaliev. ONE later recognized that knockout as the best of 2025. After that, Soldić did not fight in MMA again, although ONE allowed him a boxing appearance in Poland's FAME in September, where he knocked out former world boxing champion Tomasz Adamek.
Now, the main question is his next destination. FNC is a very serious option, and the organization's president, Dražen Forgač, revealed in early July on the Podcast Inkubator that the deal is practically already done. "Everything is agreed with us. There's not much left to negotiate," Forgač stated.
However, FNC is deliberately holding off until the negotiations with the UFC are resolved. Forgač explained that they don't want to sign Soldić and schedule a fight, only to potentially ruin his biggest career opportunity if the American organization comes calling in the meantime. "It's better that his appearance doesn't happen at all than for us to be the ones blamed for him not going to the UFC," Forgač said, emphasizing that he believes Soldić shouldn't have to beg the UFC for a chance; rather, he's the kind of fighter they should want themselves.
Forgač also revealed that FNC already has an opponent lined up for Soldić. He didn't want to officially confirm the name, but it was hinted that it could be Laureano "Pepi" Staropoli, a former UFC fighter who has recorded two impressive knockouts in his first two appearances for FNC. If Soldić's appearance at FNC 33 in Arena Zagreb on September 12 is confirmed, Forgač said he would headline the event, although the currently announced main event is the fight between Hatef Moeil and Darko Stošić.
On the other hand, the UFC would be the realization of what many expected back in 2022. The Americans were among the interested parties then, but Soldić judged that ONE offered him a better opportunity and conditions. Now, the situation is significantly different. Forgač stated last month that an agency with influence in the UFC is involved in the negotiations and that Soldić is awaiting the outcome of that story. That's why FNC has left the door open for him. If there's no deal with the UFC, Soldić has a nearly guaranteed spot in the largest regional organization. If the UFC sends an offer that satisfies him, the 31-year-old "Robocop" could finally end up in the world's premier MMA organization.
