UFC Vegas 109 featured another card of APEX fights with an extended, six-fight main card. The co-main event featured former bantamweight title challenger, Steve Erceg, taking on a short notice opponent in Ode Osbourne. And in the main event, a ranked middleweight matchup saw Roman Dolidze lose to Anthony Hernandez, in what was a very important bout for the division. Lots of veterans on this edition of losers and some even matchups moving forward.
Roman Dolidze
Anthony Hernandez dragged Roman Dolidze into deep waters and submitted him in the fourth round of their main event on Saturday. Dolidze entered the fight ranked at #9 at 185lbs, while Hernandez was ranked at #10. The loss snapped a three-fight win streak for Dolidze that saw him beating the likes of Anthony Smith, Kevin Holland and Marvin Vettori from June 2024 to earlier this year in March. This loss will likely drop Roman out of the top 10 but he’ll likely remain ranked.
A good next matchup for Dolidze would be against the loser of Jared Cannonier vs Michael Page. Offering Dolidze another fresh matchup is a good idea, and this would fit the bill (No Vettori III matchup). Cannonier is currently the #8 ranked middleweight while MVP is ranked at #15 at welterweight and unranked at middleweight. This fight goes down on UFC 319 on August 16 so the timing would be fine. If Cannonier loses he will have lost three of his last four, while Page would be 2-2 in the UFC. Dolidze was matched against Jared back in 2023, but Cannonier withdrew due to a torn MCL (knee injury). Either fighter would offer an exciting striking match for fans. Winner of this bout would be ranked within the top 10.
Doldize’s next fight: Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page Loser
Ode Osbourne
Steve Erceg defeated Ode Osbourne via unanimous decision on Saturday, in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 109. Erceg entered the fight ranked at #10 in the division while Ode was unranked. While it’s worth noting that Osbourne was not Erceg’s original opponent (Alex Perez, injured- Hyun Sung Park, rebooked) the loss still puts him in a somewhat precarious position.
Osbourne has now lost four of his last five fights dating to early 2023. His only win during this time period was against an undefeated Contender Series product making his debut, Luis Gurule.
With that said, Ode’s next fight should be against Carlos Hernandez. Carlos is a 2021 Contender Series alum that is currently 3-4 with the UFC. Carlos has lost three of his last four fights dating back to December 2023 but against good competition (Tatsuro Taira, Rei Tsuruya and Hyun Sung Park) Osbourne and Hernandez have hovered at around the same level within the division for a couple years-and they have both lost to high level competition. It’d be a great matchup for that reason. Two Contender Series vets that have yet to secure that big win against elite competition. Loser of this bout could be in a rough place with the winner gaining a lot of visibility.
Osbourne’s next fight: Carlos Hernandez
Angela Hill
Iasmin Lucindo outfought Angela Hill on her way to a unanimous decision victory on Saturday. Lucindo entered the cage Saturday ranked at #8 in the women’s strawweight division while Hill was ranked at #12. Hill is 13-15 during her now 11-year stint with the promotion. She’s 2-3 in her last five fights since November of 2023. If you can believe it, Hill turned 40 earlier this year- she’s still a competitor with her last three losses coming to the very respectable, ranked, opponents of Mackenzie Dern, Tabatha Ricci and Iasmin Lucindo.
Angela’s next fight should be against Denise Gomes. Even though the pair shared the octagon less than two years ago, both fighters have had trajectories where it makes sense to meet again.
Denise is undefeated in the UFC since her fight with Angela. She beat an undefeated Eduarda Moura via split decision and veteran Karolina Kowalkiewicz via unanimous decision last year. Gomes also finished Elise Reed early in the second round back in mid-May. Considering Hill has fought virtually everyone, and that she likely to remain in the rankings after this fight, this is a matchup that makes sense. Denise is ranked at #15 in the division. This fight could sneak onto the main card of a decent Fight Night card. Loser would be out of the rankings.
Hill’s next fight: Denise Gomes rematch
Christian Rodriguez
Andre Fili and Christian Rodriguez put on a good scrap on Saturday, but Fili edged out ‘CeeRod’ on the scorecards, securing a split decision victory.
Rodriguez is now on a two-fight skid and has lost three of his last four fights dating back to July of last year. Christian’s only win in that time period came against an undefeated 2024 Contender Series alum making his UFC debut (Austin Bashi).
Rodriguez who has broken the hearts of multiple hot prospects (Raul Rosas Jr, Cameron Saaiman and Austin Bashi) is still trying to carve out a path for himself at 145lbs. after struggling with the cut down to 135lbs. It’s been 5-fights since Rodriguez moved up so hopefully, he can start to put it together.
The next opponent for Rodriguez should be Shayilan Nuerdabiekke. Shayilan is just 3-3 in the UFC but is 39-12 as a pro. Shayilan is also on a two-fight skid. He was last in the octagon in June of last year when he was submitted in the final round by Melquizael Costa. Melquizael also holds a unanimous decision victory over Rodriguez from when the pair fought in March. These two fighters are right on the same level and hopefully Nuerdanbiekke could be ready whenever for the timing to matchup. Easy sleep fight for a feature preliminary bout or first fight on the main card of a fight night.
Rodriguez’s next fight: Shayilan Nuerdanbiekke
Miles Johns
Jean Matsumoto snagged a split decision victory over Miles Johns in a hard fought three rounder on Saturday. With the loss Miles is now on a two-fight losing streak. Before that, he was on a four-fight unbeaten streak.
The move for Miles here is to revisit his previously cancelled matchup with the former UFC Bantamweight Champion, Cody Garbrandt. Lots of visibility and a huge upside in that matchup for Miles. The two were scheduled to fight back in October and then November of last year. Fight was ultimately cancelled after Garbrandt suffered an injury. Since then, Garbrandt has lost a unanimous decision to Ranoi Barcelos, back in mid-June. Timing could make sense especially as Cody has been taking more time between fights recently. Easy one to book on the main card of a fight night between these two dangerous bantamweights. Winner wouldn’t be but a win or two away from fighting for a ranking.
Johns’ next fight: Cody Garbrandt
Eyrk Anders
Christian Leroy Duncan kicked off the main card of UFC Vegas 109 with a spectacular spinning elbow finish of Eryk Anders. 38-year-old Anders has now gone 2-2 in his last four fights since June of 2023. Both of his victories during the time period are against fighters who are no longer with the promotion (Chris Weidman and Jamie Pickett).
With that being said, Anders is in a little bit of a hot seat but with the wild state of the UFC’s middleweight division, truly anything is possible. A good next matchup for Anders would be against Andrey Pulyaev. Andrey is a 27-year-old prospect off last year’s season of the Contender Series. Pulyaev made his UFC debut in March against ‘CLD’ and lost a unanimous decision. In August Andrey stopped Nick Klein in the second with a body kick and punches. Eryk would be even more of a litmus test for the 10-3, 6’4″, Russian. A different look. This could also be a good fight for Eyrk for where he’s at in his career currently; to prove he’s still got it.
Anders’ next fight: Andrey Pulyaev
