Anthony Hernandez Dominates Roman dolidze, Sends Message to UFC Middleweight Division
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Anthony Hernandez delivered a statement performance in the main event of UFC Vegas 109, defeating Roman dolidze by rear-naked choke and solidifying his position as a top contender in the middleweight division. The victory, Hernandez’s eighth consecutive win, comes at a crucial time with the current title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev approaching at UFC 319.
Hernandez’s Dominant Performance
“Fluffy” controlled the fight from the outset, showcasing a clear skill advantage over Dolidze. He repeatedly threatened with takedowns and ground control, ultimately securing the submission in the second round. Analyst Din Thomas described Hernandez’s performance as the best in the middleweight division in the last three years, highlighting it’s extensive nature and dominance. MMA Fighting reported on the fight and Thomas’s analysis.
Dolidze struggled throughout the bout, repeatedly grabbing the fence to avoid further damage. Referee Herb Dean ultimately deducted a point from Dolidze for the infractions before Hernandez secured the tap via rear-naked choke.
Reactions from the UFC Community
The impressive showing garnered critically important attention from fighters and analysts across the UFC community, with many taking to social media to praise Hernandez’s performance.
ESPN MMA covered the fight and the immediate reactions from prominent figures in the sport.
What’s Next for Anthony Hernandez?
With a dominant win under his belt, hernandez is positioning himself for a title shot. The middleweight division is currently awaiting the outcome of the fight between champion Dricus du Plessis and challenger Khamzat Chimaev. Hernandez’s performance has undoubtedly placed him firmly in the conversation for the next title prospect. He has proven he can compete with, and defeat, top-ranked opponents, and a potential matchup against the new champion could be on the horizon.
Key Takeaways:
Anthony Hernandez defeated Roman Dolidze by rear-naked choke at UFC Vegas 109.
This victory marks Hernandez’s eighth consecutive win.
Analyst Din Thomas hailed Hernandez’s performance as the best in the middleweight division in the past three years.
Hernandez is now a strong contender for a future title shot.