Zebaztian Kadestam Explains Why Roberto Soldic War Makes Perfect Sense For Him

Zebaztian Kadestam’s welterweight resurgence has been one of the more enjoyable journeys to follow in ONE Championship in recent times, and it comes to a head once more in two weeks when the former divisional king steps into action for his latest challenge.

Having dispatched Valmir Da Silva and Iuri Lapicus with first-round knockouts to return to winning ways last year, “The Bandit” will kick off his 2023 campaign against hotly tipped signing Roberto Soldic at ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson vs. Moraes III on Saturday, 6th May.

The historic event will be ONE Championship’s first live show on U.S. soil, and the Singapore-based promotion has pulled out all the stops to ensure that all eyes will be on Denver, Colorado’s 1stBank Center that evening.

Kadestam recognises the significance of being included on the star-studded card, and he’s ready to entertain when he steps into the Circle.

“I was on the first Prime show, and now I’m on the first U.S. show. I’m happy that I get the opportunity to be on the bigger cards. I think my style suits perfectly for entertainment if they match me well, and that’s what I’m about,” he said.

“It’s not only about winning; it’s about putting on a good show. I’ve never fought in America. I’ve never even been to America. This is going to be really cool. I’ve been wanting to go to America for a long time.”

The path to his explosive matchup with former two-division KSW World Champion Soldic has been carved by the Swedish dynamo’s dominant arsenal of weapons. After parting ways with the ONE Welterweight World Title and slipping to a three-fight skid, Kadestam clawed his way back with an impressive run of form in 2022.

Now with his confidence at an all-time high, he believes that a convincing performance against one of the division’s most dangerous prospects will put him on track toward a shot at the belt he once held.
“This is what I wanted to do all along. I want to chase greatness. I’m not saying anyone I fought has been a bad fighter, but if I beat this guy, I’m right up there. It’s a big step, and that’s what this game is about,” Kadestam said.

“You fight the best to be the best. That’s what it’s always about. It’s not about having win streaks or being unbeaten or other things. You fight the best; you beat the best; you be the best. That’s it.