The UFC Apex in Las Vegas will again host an event this weekend with a Middleweight main event between two highly ranked opponents.
Roman Dolidze will go head to head with Anthony Hernandez as the main attraction and Aussie Steve Erceg will take on Ode Osbourne in the penultimate fight on the card.
My thoughts and UFC Fight Night betting predictions can be found below.
Georgian MMA is going through a peak period in the country’s history right now and Roman Dolidze is charging toward the top of the middleweight rankings.
He is currently ranked number nine in the division and thanks to three victories in the row he is on a pathway to title contention.
Consecutive wins over Anthony Smith, Kevin Holland and Marvin Vettori has him right in the mix and when you consider he has just three losses on his career record it only strengthens his credentials for high ranked opponents.
He gets one of those in the form of Anthony Hernandez who has climbed to number 10 in the rankings thanks to seven wins in a row.
This includes wins over Roman Kopylov, Michel Pereira and Brendon Allen since the start of 2024.
Both of these gentlemen have excellent finishing capabilities and in lieu of a head to head bet I don’t think the judges will be required.
It has been a rollercoaster UFC journey so far for former Eternal MMA champion Steve Erceg since making his debut in the biggest promotion in the world in 2023.
Three wins in a row, including a KO win over Matt Schnell, afforded him the opportunity to fight for the flyweight title against Alexandre Pantoja, and although he was beaten via decision, it was a very competitive fight.
Two losses to Kai Kara France and Brandon Moreno followed that title shot but the Aussie legend will be eager to get back in the win column in this co-main event.
Ode’ Osbourne won a UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019 and has since gone 5-6.
He suffered three losses in a row before a crucial TKO win in April rejuvenated his career and the fact he is back in the octagon so soon means he is hopeful to extend his winning ways.
Erceg is now an experienced campaigner who has an arsenal of weaponry at his disposal and I’m tipping the Aussie to stay in contention with a win.
Making her debut in the UFC back in 2022, Iasmin Lucindo has won four times and suffered two defeats.
The latest of those defeats came against Amanda Lemos in March via unanimous decision.
Angela Hill is a veteran of the sport and since making her UFC debut in 2017, she has had an incredible 24 fights.
24 of her 32 pro MMA fights have gone to a decision and she has a 50% winning record when the judges are involved.
Iasmin Lucindo brings a new breed of women’s MMA to the octagon and I’m predicting she simply has too many weapons for this very tough veteran.