Sean Strickland had anticipated a “dreadful” contest against Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez this Saturday in Houston; however, the hardship ultimately afflicted only his adversary.
With a record of 30-7, Strickland secured his initial stoppage victory in over two years, overcoming Hernandez (15-3) via strikes at 2:33 into the third round. This marked Strickland’s inaugural bout subsequent to his defeat in the middleweight championship contest against Dricus Du Plessis in February 2025. That particular loss was largely considered among the weakest showings of Strickland’s professional career, yet he comprehensively redeemed himself on Saturday.
“I recall we exchanged remarks at the pre-fight weigh-in,” Strickland stated, alluding to the intense verbal encounters he had with Hernandez earlier that week. “However, subsequent to that contest, I sense a part of me is Mexican. That was a brutal conflict, and I am immensely grateful to Fluffy. He epitomizes masculinity. Candidly, Fluffy represents the kind of man I aspire to be. He is wedded, a parent, a diligent individual – truly a finer man than I could ever envision becoming.”
Prior to the match, the 34-year-old Strickland held the No. 3 position in the UFC’s middleweight category, yet he was considered a considerable long shot to break Hernandez’s impressive sequence of eight successive victories. Nevertheless, from the initial stanza, he defied expectations, assailing Hernandez with his famed jab and intricate footwork.
The seasoned 17-year fighter had anticipated he would likely need to engage Hernandez in a protracted struggle extending into the fourth and fifth rounds to wear him down; however, Strickland instead inflicted damage with a knee to the body in the third. The match concluded as he unleashed body punches and a series of uppercuts.
Despite the fact that Strickland had indicated in his latest conversations that he doesn’t foresee contending for the championship in the near future, considering reigning titleholder Khamzat Chimaev’s past periods of idleness, he nonetheless requested the chance following Saturday’s triumph.
Strickland declared, “Should Chimaev become active, I desire an encounter.” He added, “That guy is unpredictable, but that is my objective.”
As per UFC Stats, Strickland delivered more significant strikes than Hernandez, 92-62, and thwarted Hernandez’s solitary effort at a takedown. Hailing from Las Vegas, Strickland confessed to having competed against Du Plessis last year with a damaged shoulder, subsequently being absent during the latter half of 2025 owing to a ban imposed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for his involvement in a post-fight skirmish at a local June event.
The hiatus likely proved beneficial for him. His preceding stoppage, prior to this Saturday, was a decisive blow against Abus Magomedov in the second round, back in July 2023. For the 32-year-old Hernandez, this outcome concluded a winning run that originated in February 2021. Hernandez had been defeated by Kevin Holland in May 2020, prior to amassing eight successive victories, including six stoppages.
Hernandez remarked, “I believed it was progressing well, I thought the rounds were even, but perhaps I became careless and was struck by the knee centrally.” He continued, “That’s acceptable. I am returning to strategize and will improve. You witnessed my enhancement after my previous defeat.”