UFC Vegas 109 is the last stop on the road to UFC 319, and the Bloody Elbow experts have given their view on who will walk out the winner.
In a card chock-full of interesting fights, it is the main event featuring Anthony Hernandez and Roman Dolidze that is drawing the fans’ attention in the build-up.
Both men are top 10-ranked Middleweights with an eye on a future title fight, with very little to separate them so far in their careers.
Elsewhere, a Women’s Strawweight clash is also expected to impress, as Iasmin Lucindo and Angela Hill face off in a packed main card.
The Bloody Elbow staff has made their predictions about what will happen at UFC Vegas 109, including the two main event fights as well as the Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonus winners
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Roman Dolidze vs Anthony Hernandez predictions
- Ross Markey: Anthony Hernandez
- Kyle Dimond: Anthony Hernandez
- Hamish Woodward: Anthony Hernandez
The Bloody Elbow experts are completely in agreement on the winner of the UFC Vegas 109 main event.
Hernandez is the clear favorite, with Ross, Kyle, and Hamish all backing “Fluffy” to beat the #9-ranked fighter on Saturday.
Despite being ranked below Dolidze, Hernandez boasts a seven-fight win streak since 2021, and should have the finishing ability to end the Georgian before time runs out in Las Vegas.
While Dolidze has his own win streak going, years after his own suspension before even making his debut, which includes wins over Marvin Vettori and Kevin Holland, he is not expected to rise in the ranking after losing to Hernandez on August 9.
Iasmin Lucindo vs Angela Hill predictions
- Ross Markey: Iasmin Lucindo
- Kyle Dimond: Iasmin Lucindo
- Hamish Woodward: Iasmin Lucindo
Once again, the staff picks are all in agreement with the winner of this fight.
All three experts have chosen the #8-ranked Lucindo to continue her ascent up the Women’s Strawweight division by beating Hill in their co-main event fight.
Recent victories over Marina Rodriguez and Karolina Kowalkiewicz have catapulted her into the top ten, and she seems unlikely to lose to Hill, after she lost to Amanda Lemos at UFC 313.
Lucindo is a veteran in the division but could be pushing for one last reign at the top with a victory at UFC Vegas 109, which all the experts predict will happen.
UFC Vegas 109 Fight of the Night
- Ross Markey: Roman Dolidze vs Anthony Hernandez
- Kyle Dimond: Roman Dolidze vs Anthony Hernandez
- Hamish Woodward: Roman Dolidze vs Anthony Hernandez
The main event of UFC Vegas 109 is, unsurprisingly, the fight that the experts are most looking forward to at the event.
The bout features two men who can end a fight at any time, with five of Hernandez’s last seven fights (all victories) ending via submission or knockout.
Eleven of Dolidze’s fifteen bouts in his career have had definitive finishes, although he will struggle to put away such an impressive striker as Hernandez without a bit of luck.
No other fights seem to come close to the hype around Dolidze vs Hernandez, which looks more and more likely to earn the $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus.
UFC Vegas 109 Performance of the Night
- Ross Markey: Steve Erceg
- Kyle Dimond: Christian Rodriguez
- Hamish Woodward: Anthony Hernandez
There is finally some disagreement as the experts have three different choices for who will earn the Performance of the Night bonus at UFC Vegas 109.
Ross is backing Steve Erceg, finally on the card after a host of cancellations, to use his ample prep time to put on an impressive performance to earn himself that cash bonus.
Erceg was supposed to face Tatsuro Taira at the event following another Alex Perez withdrawal, before the Japanese fighter moved up to the main event UFC Vegas 108, while his replacement Ode’ Osbourne doesn’t look up to the Erceg challenge a week later.
Meanwhile, Christian Rodriguez is Kyle’s pick to impress, five months after his decision defeat against Melquizael Costa.
Rodriguez has had a mixed record in the last two years, but he has put on some impressive wins when he has been victorious, and Andre Fili looks likely to be his next victim.
Finally, Hamish once again cannot look past Hernandez, who is expected to put on a fantastic performance to sweep all the awards at UFC Vegas 109.