For combat sports aficionados, the Saturday, August 9 UFC event at APEX in Las Vegas promises to bring some prime fighters to the hexagon and pit them in heavily contested battles.
One of the biggest fights is none other than Anthony Hernandez, currently ranked 10th, and Roman Dolidze, who is the world’s eighth in his category. With Hernandez posted as the heavy favorite at (-345), there has been speculation as to why the oddsmakers favor him by such a wide margin.
Anthony Hernandez vs Roman Dolidze Card – Odds
| Moneyline | Odds |
|---|---|
| Anthony Hernandez | -320 |
| Roman Dolidze | +160 |
When, Where, and How to Watch?
- Place: APEX, Las Vegas
- Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025
- Time: 4 pm ET
- How to Watch: ESPN
Admittedly, Fluffy, as the fighter is known endearingly, had a hell of a fighting streak, clocking in seven wins one after another, and even defeating Brendan Allen in February, another serious contender.
His win against Michel Pereira is still seared into the collective minds of UFC fans who have had a hard time seeing the fighter lose to a man whose nickname is “Fluffy.” As a result, the Hernandez hype is not just a thing – it’s surprisingly well-founded in the available facts.
Hernandez Is Coming Off an Impressive Winning Streak
But just because Hernandez is riding high on his 14-2 record and excellent recent performance, this doesn’t mean that Dolidze is someone you would want to underestimate – in fact, far from it.
For starters, Dolidze is no amateur fighter of his own. Older than his opponent – and in this sport, age matters – he is still at a respectable 15-3. He is taller (6’2”) and has better reach (76”) than his opponent, which also counts.
The reason why the oddsmakers don’t see Dolidze as the most likely winner in this bout has to do with the fact that he has taken on some less prominent fighters, including Marvin Vettori, Anthony Smith, and Kevin Holland – all of whom he defeated.
Dolidze Could Struggle with His Cardio as the Fight Drags On
So, what’s left for Dolidze? He will probably feel winded as Fluffy has excellent cardio, and he appears to be more of a boxer than an MMA fighter on occasion. Dolidze has one very strong trick up his sleeve – his body shots, which have time and again secured him fights.
But if this fight goes the distance, I too do not see Dolidze outlasting his opponent. In terms of what might be best to bet on, I feel you should most likely go with Over 3.5 rounds or, best-case scenario, Hernandez by decision.
Pick: Goes the Distance (+160)