Saturday night’s UFC Vegas 109 card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas ended with four athletes pocketing an extra $50,000 for standout performances — capped off by a dominant display in the main event.
Joselyne Edwards Delivers Knockout
Once known for her habit of going the distance, Joselyne Edwards (16-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC) has been rewriting her own story. Against Priscila Cachoeira (13-7 MMA, 5-7 UFC), the Panamanian striker unleashed a flurry that crumpled her opponent and marked her third straight finish. Cachoeira’s low guard proved costly, and Edwards capitalized, walking away with her first UFC performance bonus.
Elijah Smith Ends It With One Slam
Lightweight prospect Elijah Smith (9-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) evoked memories of Preide-era Rampage Jackson during Saturday’s preliminary card. Trapped in a submission attempt from Toshiomi Kazama (11-5 MMA, 1-3 UFC), Smith lifted him high and drove him to the canvas with a crushing slam onto the back of his head and neck. The fight ended immediately, and Kazama, after a tense few moments and a hospital trip for evaluation, was cleared to leave.
Christian Leroy Duncan Turns Up the Heat
Former Cage Warriors middleweight champion Christian Leroy Duncan (12-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) overcame a rocky opening — including an accidental eye poke and a low blow — to find his range and overwhelm Eryk Anders (17-9 MMA, 9-9 UFC). Once Duncan went on the attack, the pressure was suffocating, forcing the stoppage and adding another $50,000 to his paycheck.
Anthony Hernandez Makes a Statement in the Main Event
Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) left no doubt about his place among middleweight contenders in Saturday’s main event. Against Roman Dolidze (15-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC), Hernandez controlled every phase, ragdolling his opponent and locking in a standing rear-naked choke to seal the victory. As Dolidze tapped, Hernandez was already thinking ahead — calling for either a crack at the UFC middleweight belt or a “BMF” showdown at 185 pounds.
