Tenth-ranked Hernandez took on the division’s number-nine contender Dolidze in the main event of UFC Vegas 109, which took place at the UFC APEX, and the in-form contender delivered as advertised as he pushed a relentless pace on Dolidze through the opening three rounds before eventually finishing him with a rear-naked choke submission in the fourth.
“I wanted to show out,” Hernandez said after his victory.
“I want a title shot. What do I have to f*****g do?
“This is all I know – violence and war. Give me a title shot and I promise I will be the next champ.”
Hernandez’s confidence is understandable. The California native has an 18-2 (1 no contest) career record, with 11 of his wins coming inside the distance. His finish of Dolidze was the ninth submission victory of his career.
It’s been more than five years since Hernandez last tasted defeat, with “Fluffy” reeling off eight straight victories since his 39-second TKO loss to Kevin Holland in Jacksonville.
But the fighter who performed on Saturday night was a significantly improved version of the one who succumbed so quickly to Holland’s strikes in Florida. His relentless pace, phone-booth fighting style and ability to hurt opponents on the feet, then finish them on the mat, has made him a contender the division’s top men simply cannot afford to ignore.
His win over Dolidze guarantees that his next bout will pit him against one of the division’s elite, but despite his impressive win streak, it’s likely that he’ll be asked to defeat someone inside the top five before he’s handed a shot at the middleweight champion.
That title will be contested next weekend in Chicago, when reigning 185-pound king Dricus Du Plessis puts his undisputed middleweight crown on the line against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319.
If “Stillknocks” can turn back Chimaev’s challenge and add to his list of victories over top middleweight opposition, Hernandez’s path to the top may look a little shorter as the UFC matchmakers look to find new tests for the dominant South African champion.
We’ll learn more about the title picture next weekend. But for now, what’s clear is Hernandez has earned a seat at the middleweight top table. Who he gets next will make for another fascinating matchup.
UFC Vegas 109: Official results
MAIN CARD
- Anthony Hernandez def. Roman Dolidze via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 4, 2:45
- Steve Erceg def. Ode Osbourne via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Iasmin Lucindo def. Angela Hill via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Andre Fili def. Christian Rodriguez via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
- Jean Matsumoto def. Miles Johns via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Christian Leroy Duncan def. Eryk Anders via TKO (spinning back elbow and punches) – Round 1, 3:53
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Julius Walker def. Rafael Cerqueira via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
- Elijah Smith def. Toshiomi Kazama via knockout (slam) – Round 1, 4:10
- Joselyne Edwards def. Priscila Cachoeira via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:24
- Uros Medic def. Gilbert Urbina via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 1:03
- Gabriella Fernandes def. Julija Stoliarenko via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Eric McConico def. Cody Brundage via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
