Anthony Hernandez punks Roman Dolidze || UFC Vegas 109 recap

Anthony Hernandez is a hitman. Let’s make no mistake about it — at UFC Vegas 109, “Fluffy” Hernandez put on an absolute masterclass, breaking down Roman Dolidze for three rounds before locking in a rear naked choke in round four.

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From the opening bell, Hernandez came out with a pace we don’t always see from him. Usually, we watch him build into the fight like we saw in the Brendan Allen bout, but this time, it was all gas from the start. Dolidze, 37 years old and dangerous off his back, had a few moments hunting for leg entanglements, but Hernandez wasn’t having it. He fought on his own terms, standing back up and forcing Dolidze to play his game.

The pace was suffocating. By the middle of round two, Dolidze was clearly fading, while Hernandez looked like he could fight another two rounds and then go three more afterward. Every clinch break came with elbows, every escape came with punches. It was smart, disciplined, and vicious. This is the kind of performance that makes you look at the UFC middleweight division — with names like Reinier de Ridder, Dricus Du Plessis, Khamzat Chimaev, Sean Strickland, and Robert Whittaker — and realize Hernandez belongs in those conversations.

We broke down exactly how Hernandez shut down Dolidze’s grappling. His use of the crab ride instead of traditional hooks kept him safe from leg locks, and when things got dicey, he simply stood up. Offensively, the cross on the break was money all night. Defensively, he nullified every attempt to slow him down. The way he answered Dolidze’s clinch entries reminded me of what Petr Yan did to Marcus McGhee — angles, elbows, and constant punishment.

From here, there are plenty of intriguing matchups. A fight with Sean Strickland could be a high-paced war where Strickland might struggle to keep up. A stylistic chess match with Reinier de Ridder on the ground would be fascinating. Even Du Plessis and Chimaev would bring the chaos fans love. Hernandez is a breath of fresh air in a division that’s in flux, with contenders rising and veterans moving on.

UFC Vegas 109 wasn’t just about the main event. Steve Erceg scored a solid win over Ode’ Osbourne in his bantamweight debut, adjusting mid-fight to control rounds two and three with his wrestling. Iasmin Lucindo looked sharp in a unanimous decision over Angela Hill. Andre Fili edged Christian Rodriguez in a close one. Jean Matsumoto stayed a step ahead of Miles Johns. Christian Leroy Duncan lit up Eryk Anders with creative striking and a spinning back elbow finish.

We also saw Elijah Smith deliver a highlight-reel slam KO over Toshiomi Kazama, a reminder to let go of submissions before gravity ends your night. Joselyne Edwards outboxed Priscila Cachoeira. Uroš Medić survived early trouble to stop Gilbert Urbina. Gabriella Fernandes took a decision over Julija Stoliarenko, and Eric McConico squeaked past Cody Brundage on the scorecards.

From start to finish, UFC Vegas 109 delivered a mix of violent finishes, smart game plans, and fighters making statements. For Hernandez, this was more than a win — it was a declaration that he’s ready for the elite at 185 pounds. Whether it’s Strickland, Du Plessis, Chimaev, or De Ridder, Fluffy Hernandez has earned his seat at the contender’s table.

In this breakdown, we go through the key moments of Anthony Hernandez vs Roman Dolidze, how Hernandez’s pace and technique shut down a dangerous grappler, and where he fits in the middleweight title picture. We also cover the biggest performances from the UFC Vegas 109 card, highlighting the technical adjustments, striking creativity, and finishing instincts that made the night memorable.

If you’re following the UFC middleweight division, this fight was a turning point. Hernandez isn’t just another name — he’s a contender with the style to challenge anyone in the top 10. Whether it’s his relentless pressure, smart positional control, or punishing strikes on the break, Fluffy is here to make things interesting.

This is UFC Vegas 109: Anthony Hernandez vs Roman Dolidze — the full fight breakdown, card recap, and a look at what’s next for the new wave of middleweight contenders.

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