Robert Adamek never had a winning streak against his opponent Soldić.

In the heart of Gliwice, Poland, anticipation is building around the headline boxing bout of FAME 27: Kingdom—Tomasz Adamek’s return to the ring after nearly seven years, facing off against the younger, fierce Roberto “Robocop” Soldić in an 8‑round match with 10‑oz gloves. Dubbed the “Góral vs. Robocop” showdown, this matchup blends nostalgia with a fresh challenge, raising important questions: Can the veteran Tomasz Adamek adapt to Soldić’s aggressive, MMA-honed style? And what strategic moves must he make to succeed?

Background: The Legends and the Challenger

Tomasz Adamek, born December 1, 1976 in Żywiec, Poland, established himself as a powerhouse in boxing’s light heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions. He captured the WBC light heavyweight title in 2005 and the IBF and Ring magazine cruiserweight belts in 2008 – 2009. Retiring in 2018 with a 55‑6 professional record, Adamek enjoyed legendary status in his homeland and beyond .

Post-retirement, he briefly returned to combat sports in February 2024 with a boxing bout against Mamed Khalidov, winning when Khalidov suffered a hand injury . Now, at 48 years old, ‘Góral’ stands poised for another high-profile comeback at FAME 27, set for September 6, 2025 .

Opposing him is Roberto Soldić, a 30‑year‑old Croatian MMA phenomenon boasting a reputation for knockouts. Known as “Robocop,” he recently scored a spectacular KO at ONE Championship, becoming the only fighter to finish Dricus du Plessis and reestablishing his status . Soldić is 4‑0 in professional boxing, all by KO, and now steps into the boxing limelight once more.

The FAME 27 Format: Rules That Favor One Fighter

The format for FAME 27 boxing bouts is clear: eight rounds of three minutes each, 10‑ounce gloves, under pro‑boxing rules. Unlike MMA fights, there’s no takedown or elbow allowed. Soldić must exchange in a pure boxing format, a different modality than his usual MMA matches. This setup benefits Adamek’s traditional strengths—boxing control and footwork—but also amplifies the need for strategic discipline.

Facing the Modern Warrior: Technical & Tactical Challenges

Soldić vs. Adamek brings stark contrasts:

• Power & Youth: At 30, Soldić is in his athletic prime, with muscle-bound resilience and a fearsome left hook. His record shows knockout power in every pro‑boxing bout—territory unfamiliar to Adamek since 2018.

• Ring Rust vs. Experience: Adamek’s last full pro‑boxing bout, a loss to Jarrell Miller by KO in 2018, highlights that time out of competition can dull reflexes and timing. Still, he retains strategic ring intelligence, honed over a 19-year career.

• Stamina & Speed: Can Adamek manage eight high-intensity rounds? The FAME rule set creates a stamina challenge for both—especially for someone returning after nearly seven years.

This clash is the perfect case study in adjusting classical boxing against modern MMA-infused aggression—requiring Adamek to craft a solid ring plan.

Góral’s Game Plan: Defensive Intelligence, Counter-Assault, and Ring Control

Adamek’s strategy must hinge on three pillars:

1. Defensive Movement & Guard Integrity
   His renowned footwork and shoulder roll technique will need to be razor-sharp to evade Soldić’s fierce forward pressure.

2. Body Work to Drain Power
   Targeting Soldić’s core in early rounds could sap his explosiveness. A body-first strategy may blunt Robocop’s offensive dominance.

3. Tempo Control and Fainting
   By disrupting Soldić’s rhythm—mixing feints, shuffles, and jab‑lead breaks—Adamek can control round velocity and avoid letting Soldić unleash combinations.

Adaptation from MMA Ring to Boxing Ring

Adamek must transition from a multi-dimensional fight mindset to pure boxing discipline. His 2024 exhibition win over Khalidov shows he still maintains tight boxing fundamentals. Now he must sharpen:

• Jab consistency for establishing range.

• Footwork to cut angles, maintain distance, and stay mobile.

• Elbow/eliminations to avoid contact clashes—especially since he’s facing a potentially power-based forward fighter.

This ring IQ adaptation will be vital, especially beginning the match with smart defense and gradually increasing aggression.

Fan Expectations and the Role of Age

The fight has sparked buzz online. Wrestling and MMA fans on Reddit weighed in:

“Adamek is ancient now… he was a LHW and CW champ… but don’t see this going well for him.” 

Some view this as more exhibition than serious competition: People are divided—but hype is undeniable.

Tapology trackers place Soldić as the heavy favorite, citing his youth and power—a 88% chance of KO per active predictions . Meanwhile fans appreciate the legend facing off one last time, giving the matchup emotional lore.

Promoter Tactics & Media Build‑Up

FAME MMA has leveraged nostalgia and spectacle in promoting Soldić vs. Adamek. With Instagram reels and Polish‑language content proclaiming the clash as one “like never before” promotion captures both hardcore boxing fans and the younger crowd who follow MMA.

Local references resonate: the “kingdom” theme alludes to Poland’s fight legacy, and Adamek’s Góral roots connect culturally, painting this as a local hero’s return.

Scenario Planning: Round-by-Round Outlook

Here’s a predictive breakdown:

• Rounds 1–2: Cautious Engagement
  Expect jabs, distance testing. Adamek probes while Soldić tries to find his range.

• Rounds 3–5: Tactical Adjustments
  Adamek begins body work; Soldić may crack combinations. Bigger danger zones here as Soldić may attempt to end it early.

• Rounds 6–8: Endurance Showdown
  If Adamek mitigates early power, the final rounds depend on stamina. Will he pace himself or go for a late surge?

Training Insights & Sparring Prep

Insiders suggest Adamek’s camp includes:

• Crash boxing sessions with younger sparring partners to simulate the movement and speed of Soldić.

• Focus on recuperation, ensuring joint and tendon health after years out of sparring.

• Footwork drills to sharpen ring movement and reduce punch vulnerability.

On the other hand, Soldić reportedly emphasizes:

• Transferring his MMA power into tight boxing combinations.

• Gearing up for long rounds, despite MMA typically featuring shorter bursts.

• Adapting to pure boxing stance to avoid exposing hooks.

Broader Significance: Boxing Legends vs. Modern Combat Stars

This bout isn’t just another celebrity fight—it reflects a broader trend: legends stepping into crossover events against newer combat athlete archetypes.

With other marquee matchups (e.g., Logan Paul vs. Floyd Mayweather or James Toney vs. Roy Jones Jr.), sports fans are more open to these generational showdowns. Adamek’s return is proof this can be more than spectacle—it’s a genuine test for a legendary fighter.

Regional & Cultural Pride: Góral Resonance

Adamek’s nickname, “Góral”, hails from Poland’s mountainous region and is anchored in local pride and identity. His presence at a major, Poland-based boxing event stirs national sentiment:

• Cultural echoes: Reminiscent of Polish boxing greats like Gołota or Włodarczyk.

• Local heroes’ return: The pride of hometown fans when their Góral returns to the ring.

This regional connection is key to FAME 27’s marketing and emotional draw.

Summary

In this generational clash, the strategic equation hinges on Tomasz Adamek’s legacies and adaptability against Roberto Soldić’s vigor. If Góral can reset tempos, maintain tight defense, and control the ring, he may defy expectations. Yet, the young Robocop’s power and aggression remain potent threats.

This isn’t just about age—it’s about who commands the ring, both physically and mentally. Góral’s experience versus Robocop’s knockout potential: FAME 27 will reveal the answer.