This is the UFC Fight Night live blog for Roman Dolidze vs. Anthony Hernandez, the middleweight main event bout on Saturday in Las Vegas.
A UFC fighter since 2020, Dolidze has been a fixture of the middleweight rankings for most of that time, but has yet to truly ascend into the title mix due to some inopportune losses. Now, riding a three-fight winning streak and currently ranked No. 9 in the UFC’s middleweight, Dolidze has designs on finally making a real run at the 185 pounds belt.
Arguably the hottest fighter in the middleweight division, Hernandez is riding an incredible seven-fight winning streak with five stoppages, and has not lost since 2020. Despite that incredible run, “Fluffy” still only finds himself with the No. 10 ranking, but if he can become the first man to finish Dolidze, perhaps Hernandez can make the leap to title contender.
Check out the live blog for the Dolidze vs. Hernandez main event middleweight fight below.
Tale of the Tape and Announcements
Dolidze is 6 years older and 2 inches taller but he’s the betting underdog at +270 while Fluffy comes in at -340.
Mike Bell, Sal D’Amato, and Chris Lee are the judges. Herb Dean is the referee.
Joe Martinez gets things going and, as always, asks the APEX crowd if they are ready. All 20 people say yes.
Fluffy shifts his weight back and forth while he’s announced. Roman stands stoically when it’s his turn.
They meet in the middle for final instructions and touch gloves.
Fluffy comes out and shoots for a single leg early but Roman defends. In space, Roman throwing leg kicks early. Fluffy not forcing things. Roman looks a little big faster with the hands and lands a good left hook.
Fluffy starts his own low kicks. Roman with a lot of jabs. But Fluffy charges in with a big right hand of his own. They exchange. Roman grabs a clinch and puts Fluffy against the fence. He has double-underhooks. Gritty work in here as Fluffy can’t get out. But finally creates space and lands a good elbow. Then he presses Roman right back and lands a good low kick. Roman looking a little less confident right now.
Good right hand from Fluffy gets Roman moving back and then he’s in on the hips. Roman defends but Fluffy keeps going and drags him down. Roman is cut somewhere. He rolls for a leg and Fluffy bails. Roman back to his feet and jabbing.
Fluffy putting a pace down and Roman already looking a bit winded. Fluffy puts him to the fence and lands an elbow. Roman lands a good left when they get back to space. But Fluffy chops the leg and drives to a double that he gets.
Roman gonna be GASSED with this pace. Fluffy lets him back up. Roman with big kick but he is slow now.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Hernandez.
Fluffy right back to the pressure. He’s getting the fight he wants. Right hand coming over the guard and then chopping the lead leg. Dolidze looking overwhelmed already. Dolidze now swinging back hard trying to get him to back off. But Fluffy is going full Diaz, talking to him, egging him on. He’s feeling it in there.
Fluffy gets him to the fence and drags him down despite a fence grab. Dolidze is TIRED. He rolls and Fluffy just lets him up. He’s gonna break him with pressure. Fluffy is middleweight Merab. And Roman is in the torture rack right now. He looks so unhappy as he keeps backing up, looking for a break somewhere. It is not coming.
Dolidze trying to throw a weird back elbow to get Fluffy off. Lands a nice knee but Fluffy crashed into him and takes him down. Dolidze in turtle and Fluffy keeps making him work. Dolidze rolls for a leg and Fluffy bails out. Dolidze to the feet and breathing hard. Fluffy keeps walking him down and lands a sharp right hand. He’s busted up on the left side of his face. Fluffy lands a 12 piece combination and then bowls Dolidze over for a takedown. Now he’s hammering shots in and goes from turtle to a guillotine. Dolidze defends and Fluffy goes back to the back and hits him.
Fluffy is such a friggin’ handful. Fluffy starts putting it on him at the end of the round and Dolidze is in danger. But Dolidze is saved by the bell. Bit of a moment where Fluffy thinks he’s won, but Herb Dean clarifies it’s just the round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8 Hernandez, 20-17 Hernandez overall.
Dolidze is so slow now. He throws a right hand and Fluffy ducks, gets the body lock, and hip drop tackles him basically. Dolidze trying to roll, Fluffy makes him work, then backs off. He’s tiring him out. Dolidze’s face is a bit busted at this point. And Fluffy looks fresh as a daisy.
Clinch, Dolidze grabs the fence, does nothing. Fluffy puts Dolidze in a cradle and Roman cheats again, but it’s futile. This is purely a question of when and if Fluffy stops him. The winner is not in doubt at this point. Dolidze has never been stopped. Can Fluffy be the first?
Dolidze surviving but he’s not getting up. Finally kinda does, but Fluffy puts him back down. He just rode him with a half-nelson. Real big brother type stuff. Dolidze keeps moving, and Fluffy is not letting him up anymore. Well, now he finally does.
Another collision, Fluffy on top, back up. Now Fluffy hurt him with a nasty right hand and Dolidze may be breaking. He’s in turtle and big knees to the body from Fluffy. His corner tells him to get up. And immediately Fluffy snatches an arm-triangle and throws him down again. Dolidze is getting run the eff over.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Hernandez, 30-25 Hernandez overall.
Dolidze’s corner wants him to advance. But like, come on. They should honestly stop this. Dolidze cannot win this fight and is only going to take damage as a result of them sending him out there.
And there’s Fluffy pushing Dolidze over easily for another takedown. Dolidze in full blown survival mode. There isn’t much to say, Dolidze can’t do a single thing. Fluffy keeps on him, rinse repeat. And Dolidze grabs the fence again. Herb Dean says he’s going to take a point but he won’t have to!
Fluffy on the rear waist against the fence and snatches the neck! Squeeze, no hooks, and there’s the tap!
Anthony Hernandez just sent a message to the middleweight division.
OFFICIAL DECISION: Anthony Hernandez def. Roman Dolidze via submission (rear-naked choke) — 2:45, Round 4.
Fluffy says he was “pissed off” he fought last time with an injury and went to a decision. This time he wanted to show out and get a finish. He also added about 10 f*cks in there, and Daniel Cormier chides him because it’s on ESPN.
Cormier asks Fluffy about his cardio, and he says this is all he knows. Fluffy says he’s trying to be champion, and promises he will be if he gets a title shot. He then plays company man, saying he just wants a belt, so give him something.
