Despite a stoppage in the main event at UFC Houston, Anthony Hernandez intends to avoid dwelling on the defeat.
Hernandez aimed to solidify his position as a top contender in the middleweight category. However, Sean Strickland delivered a significant victory, securing a technical knockout in the third round by repeatedly striking “Fluffy” with a knee to the midsection and subsequent punches until the bout was stopped by the official.
Prior to UFC Houston, Hernandez had accumulated eight consecutive wins. Although his impressive streak concluded, “Fluffy” maintains his resolve to move forward and implement changes. Hernandez discussed his defeat against Strickland via his Instagram profile (as reported by MMAFighting).
“Firstly, I extend my immense gratitude to everyone who attended,” Hernandez expressed. “The overwhelming support was incredible. Competitors make mistakes. I had achieved an eight-bout winning streak, and everything felt seamless until I took a painful body blow. These things occur. It’s inherent to the sport. It took half a decade for someone to finally defeat me. I will return.”
Over the course of his impressive eight-match winning streak, Hernandez secured victories against notable opponents such as Roman Dolidze, Brendan Allen, Michel Pereira, and Roman Kopylov, among others. This success propelled him to the No. 4 position in the UFC middleweight rankings. His retention of this ranking, or a potential descent, is yet to be determined.
As Hernandez prepares to analyze his performance, Strickland is actively seeking an opportunity to challenge Khamzat Chimaev for the middleweight championship. The realization of Strickland’s aspiration is uncertain, though numerous observers concur that this matchup represents the most significant potential fight in the middleweight division. BJPenn.com will continue to provide current information regarding developments in the middleweight title landscape.
Assuming the role of a UFC matchmaker, which opponent would you arrange for Anthony Hernandez’s next bout? Share your suggestions in the comments section underneath.
