Anthony Hernandez Scores ‘One of the Most Gangster Chokes Ever’ Says Ariel Helwani

Ben King

Anthony Hernandez delivered an epic performance at UFC Vegas 109 on Saturday night, methodically dismantling Roman Dolidze before securing a spectacular rear-naked choke submission. The dominant victory extended his winning streak to eight consecutive matches and prompted veteran journalist Ariel Helwani to declare it “one of the most gangster chokes I’ve ever seen.”

The main event showcased two closely-ranked middleweights, with Dolidze holding the #9 position and Hernandez sitting at #10.

From the opening bell, Hernandez established his game plan. Just 15 seconds into the contest, he changed levels for a takedown attempt, though Dolidze managed to threaten with a leg lock from his back. This early exchange set the tone for what would become a grueling night for the Georgian, who had bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili in his corner.

The first round saw both men exchange strikes and grappling positions, with Dolidze showing his strength in clinch situations along the fence. However, Hernandez’s relentless pressure began to manifest as he mixed his attacks between hands to the head and kicks to the body, eventually dragging Dolidze to his knees.

Round two marked the beginning of Hernandez’s complete takeover. While Dolidze continued landing inside leg kicks, Hernandez’s takedown attempts became more successful. In a display of supreme confidence, Hernandez would secure takedowns only to allow Dolidze back to his feet, seemingly toying with his opponent while gradually wearing him down.

Hernandez began drawing Dolidze into extended exchanges, walking forward with verbal taunts that clearly got under the Georgian’s skin. The psychological warfare proved effective as Dolidze appeared to tire, making Hernandez’s subsequent takedowns look almost effortless.

The pattern continued into round three, with Hernandez controlling where the contest took place. He pinned Dolidze against the fence, delivered punishing knees to the thigh, and briefly secured position around the neck before Dolidze managed to escape. Each exchange further depleted Dolidze’s energy reserves while Hernandez remained fresh and calculating.

By round four, Hernandez held a commanding 30-27 lead on the scorecards, but he wasn’t content to cruise to a decision victory. With Dolidze needing a finish to salvage the contest, he instead found himself overwhelmed by Hernandez’s suffocating pressure once again.

The end came in dramatic fashion. After Dolidze grabbed the fence during a takedown attempt – an infraction that cost him a point from referee Herb Dean – Hernandez sensed his moment. Following a knee strike, he smoothly transitioned to Dolidze’s back and secured the rear-naked choke.

What made the submission truly spectacular was its execution. Hernandez locked in the choke while still in motion, stepping backwards as he applied pressure. The technique demonstrated both his technical capabilities and the kind of swagger that prompted Helwani’s enthusiastic reaction on social media.

“Just straight toughness and bad ass-ness. Fluffy is a beast. 8 in a row,” Helwani wrote on social media.

The official result came at 2:45 of the fourth round, with Hernandez forcing the tap via rear-naked choke. The victory not only extended his impressive winning streak but also positioned him for bigger opportunities in the middleweight division.

Hernandez’s performance showcased the complete skill set that has made him one of the division’s most dangerous contenders. For Dolidze, the loss represents a significant setback in his quest to climb the middleweight rankings. Despite showing moments of resistance and threatening with leg locks throughout the contest, he was simply outclassed by someone operating at the peak of his powers.

Ben King