2025 UFC Fight Night Preview - Dolidze vs. Hernandez: Can the Caucasian upset Fluffy on Saturday night? August 7, 2025 by Marc Jerbs

Prepare for an action-packed evening of mixed martial arts as the UFC heads back to the APEX in Las Vegas for UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs. Hernandez on Saturday, August 9, 2025. This high-stakes middleweight clash features the heavy-hitting Roman Dolidze facing off against the relentless Anthony Hernandez in a bout that could shake up the division's rankings. The main card begins at 7:00 PM EDT.

A Stylistic Showdown

This matchup stands out due to the contrast in styles between the two competitors. Dolidze is a powerful striker with dangerous submission skills, while Hernandez brings relentless pace, well-rounded grappling, and an ever-improving striking arsenal.

Striking Breakdown

Roman Dolidze (15-3-0), 37, fights out of the orthodox stance at 6'2" with a 76-inch reach. He lands 3.58 significant strikes per minute at 42% accuracy, absorbing nearly the same at 3.56 per minute, with a 49% defensive rate. In his recent unanimous decision win over Marvin Vettori, Dolidze showcased his striking volume and control, landing 141 of 340 total strikes in a commanding performance.

Anthony Hernandez (14-2-0, 1 NC), 31, also fights orthodox and stands slightly shorter at 6'0" with a 75-inch reach. He averages 4.50 significant strikes per minute and lands them at a remarkable 63% accuracy. Defensively, he absorbs only 2.61 strikes per minute and defends 46% of attacks. His decision victory over Brendan Allen was particularly impressive, with 71% of his significant strikes landing cleanly—highlighting his precision and efficiency.

Dolidze vs. Hernandez Sports Bet Odds

Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez is the favorite to win the match. Here are our latest odds:

• Hernandez as the favorite has a money line of -330 while Dolidze as the underdog has +270.
• Fluffy winning by KO/TKO or DQ has a money line of +325.
• Duncan pinning Rębecki via submission has a money line of +900.

Grappling Breakdown

On the mat, Dolidze averages 1.11 takedowns per 15 minutes with a 40% success rate but struggles defensively with only a 33% takedown defense. He attempts nearly one submission per fight, signaling his finishing intent on the ground.

Hernandez, meanwhile, holds the edge in grappling. He lands 45% of his takedowns and defends 66%. With an average of 1.9 submission attempts per 15 minutes and a ground control rate of 59% (compared to Dolidze's 26%), Hernandez's dominance on the mat is clear. The smaller Octagon at the UFC APEX may further tilt things in his favor by limiting Dolidze's movement and increasing the likelihood of extended grappling exchanges.

Final Verdict

As the main event approaches, all eyes are on Dolidze and Hernandez in what could be a defining fight for both men. Dolidze's knockout power and submission threat mean he's always one moment away from ending the contest, but Hernandez's pressure, volume, and grappling prowess give him a clear path to victory through control and attrition.

This bout is a classic clash of styles—raw power and finishing ability versus relentless pace and technical dominance. In the confines of the smaller Octagon, the fighter who best implements their game plan will not only walk away with the win but also take a significant step closer to title contention in the stacked middleweight division.

Expect a high-stakes chess match laced with the ever-present danger of a sudden finish—an explosive, strategic battle that fans won't want to miss.

Dolidze vs. Hernandez Tale of the Tape

Roman "The Caucasian" Dolidze	VS	Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez
15-3-0	Record	14-2-0, 1NC
Win	Last Fight	Win
Georgia	Country	United States
6' 2"	Height	6' 0"
186.00 LBS	Weight	186.00 LBS
76.0"	Reach	75.0"
41.0"	Leg Reach	40.0"
42%	Significant Strikes	63%
49%	Strikes Defense	46%
40%	Takedown Accuracy	45%
33%	Takedown Defense	66%