Enjoy Anthony Hernandez while he’s still around.
“Fluffy” plans to clean out the middleweight division, then disappear from combat sports altogether. That longterm goal first requires a victory over former champion Sean Strickland at UFC Houston this weekend in Texas, as well as a win over reigning 185-pound titleholder Khamzat Chimaev at some point later this year.
Hernandez is certainly not short on confidence.
“My grappling defense is really good, so that’s one thing,” Hernandez told New York Post Sports. “I think I can force him to stay on his feet. I don’t give a f*ck where it goes: grappling, striking, standing up. He’s got one thing and I’ve got a f*cking arsenal, so I don’t really give a f*ck. I want my time to prove that I’m the champion. If he’s the challenger, whoever the f*ck has the belt, I don’t give a f*ck. I’m going to take that belt, clear out this division, and you’ll probably never see me again because I’m out.”
At least he won’t have to jump through any more hoops.
Hernandez (15-2, 1 NC) has looked unstoppable over the last five years, racking up eight straight wins with six nasty finishes. That includes his submission victory over veteran bruiser Roman Dolidze last August in Las Vegas. A big performance over Strickland is likely to land “Fluffy” the next middleweight title shot.
Strickland (29-7) has not competed since losing his championship rematch to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 312 last year in Sydney. The former welterweight holds victories over some of the biggest names in the division, including Israel Adesanya, Nassourdine Imavov, and Paulo Costa, among others.
