On August 9, UFC on ESPN 72 (UFC Vegas 109) will take place in Las Vegas, USA. In the main event, Georgian middleweight Roman Dolidze faces American Anthony Hernandez. In the co-main event in the bantamweight division, former flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg will take on Ode Osbourne. TelecomAsia Sport breaks down the most anticipated matchups of UFC Vegas 109.
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Roman Dolidze vs. Anthony Hernandez
A clash of strong middleweights, both ranked in the top 10: Dolidze sits at No. 9, while Hernandez holds the 10th spot.
Roman Dolidze (15-3) has shown great form, securing three consecutive wins and avenging his previous loss to Marvin Vettori in his latest bout.
Hernandez (14-2, 1 NC) has impressed with his consistency, riding a seven-fight win streak that includes a victory over Brendan Allen.
Despite being the bookmakers’ favorite, Hernandez may face serious challenges due to his opponent’s style. Known for his jiu-jitsu, Hernandez typically looks for submissions on the ground. However, taking down and grappling with a physically powerful opponent like Dolidze will be a difficult task. In addition to strong striking, Roman has a solid wrestling base. If Hernandez fails to dominate in grappling exchanges, he risks losing the stand-up battle to a more explosive and powerful striker.
Predicted outcome: Roman Dolidze defeats Anthony Hernandez.
Steve Erceg vs. Ode Osbourne
The second most important fight of the night takes place in the bantamweight division between American Ode Osbourne (13-8, 1 NC) and Australian Steve Erceg (12-4). Both previously fought in the flyweight division.
Erceg made a strong start in the UFC, but his luck ran out when he faced top-tier competition, resulting in three losses.
Osbourne never found consistent success in the flyweight division. In his last fight, he snapped a three-fight skid by stopping Luis Gurule. Still, bookmakers have little faith in his chances.
This matchup pits a grappler (Erceg) against a striker (Osbourne). The American has a solid reach advantage, and if Erceg chooses to fight on the feet, he might get into trouble. Erceg’s goal is to wear Osbourne down with wrestling and ideally finish him via choke. Notably, Osbourne has lost four times by submission, and his poor takedown defense suggests that stat may grow this weekend.
Predicted outcome: Steve Erceg defeats Ode Osbourne by submission.
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Iasmin Lucindo vs. Angela Hill
In the women’s strawweight division, Iasmin Lucindo (17-6) faces Angela Hill (18-14).
The 40-year-old Hill has been a UFC staple for what feels like forever. Surprisingly, the American still displays solid form and consistency, having won three of her last four fights. The 23-year-old Brazilian holds a similar recent record but has more upside.
Hill’s recurring problem is her fighting style. Her bouts are usually competitive, but she often fails to do enough to convincingly win on the judges’ scorecards. She rarely goes the extra mile to secure a clear win, and that efficiency often backfires.
While Hill is certainly capable of giving Lucindo a tough night, the Brazilian is more versatile. Her activity will likely appear more effective and meaningful to the judges. Even if she doesn't dominate due to her youth and energy, Jauregui may benefit from a close decision.
Predicted outcome: Iasmin Lucindo defeats Angela Hill by decision.
Andre Fili vs. Christian Rodriguez
In the featherweight division, veteran Andre Fili meets Christian Rodriguez, a former prospect coming off two straight losses. This is a chance for Rodriguez to bounce back, and bookmakers favor him as the likely winner.
Fili, now 35, has absorbed numerous tough losses over his career. But wear and tear isn’t the only factor here — Rodriguez is simply the more complete fighter with better stats across the board. He lands 50% of his strikes (compared to Fili’s 37%) and absorbs half as many strikes in return.
However, Rodriguez’s recent struggles have raised doubts. His win over Raul Rosas Jr. no longer looks like a major achievement and seems more a reflection of Rosas’ inexperience than Rodriguez’s dominance.
Rodriguez clearly has the tools to beat Fili. Still, expectations should be tempered. This bout is another test of his potential, and any missteps could disappoint fans.
Predicted outcome: Christian Rodriguez defeats Andre Fili by decision.
These are the key matchups to watch at UFC Vegas 109. Don’t miss this card — it could deliver more than a few surprises for MMA fans.
