Anthony Hernandez continues to indicate why he’s a pressure to be reckoned with. UFC Vegas 109 was no exception for the No. 10-ranked middleweight contender “Fluffy” this previous Saturday, as he brutally choked Roman Dolidze within the fourth spherical to safe his eighth straight win.
The efficiency was arguably Hernandez’s finest, and it comes at a time when the division is loaded with contenders able to strive their hand at upsetting the champion, Dricus du Plessis. That’s assuming du Plessis hangs onto the title he’s held since January 2022.
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In his subsequent title protection, the champion is tasked with the undefeated contender Khamzat Chimaev in UFC 319’s major occasion this Saturday evening. After his huge win, Hernandez will make the journey to Chicago with the hopes he’ll see his subsequent opponent stay and in individual.
“I need to go watch, and we’ll see what UFC needs me to do,” Hernandez mentioned Monday on Uncrowned’s “The Ariel Helwani Present.” “If they need me to f***ing battle the champ, I’m in. I’m prepared. I’m wholesome. I simply gotta get these stitches out, and I’ll be proper again in camp.
“Hopefully, [UFC CEO] Dana [White] appreciated my assertion. I used to be speaking to him throughout the battle, and telling him how sturdy Roman was, however I didn’t know he was holding the fence, my man. However I used to be speaking to Dana, having a good time, speaking to ‘D.C’ (Daniel Cormier). I believe they know that like, bro, give up f***ing enjoying with me. Give me the f***ing shot. … I need to be the following champ.”
Concerning the upcoming title battle itself, few fights in 2025 have include such anticipation all through the MMA group. On the challenger’s aspect, Chimaev’s inevitable bid for UFC gold has been anticipated for years, solely to face setbacks for one motive or one other.
Nonetheless, regardless of Chimaev’s traditionally dominant performances, his fellow contender Hernandez expects the reigning champion to lastly be his undoing.
“I believe ‘DDP’ is gonna shock everybody once more,” Hernandez predicted. “He’s a f***ing robust motherf***er. He’s acquired that canine in him, and hopefully I get to see him quickly.
“I actually don’t care [who it is]. It’s like, respect on the finish of the day. So whoever has the belt is who I need, as a result of the belt is what modifications lives. The individual, I don’t care. I’ll battle everyone.”
Hernandez’s major occasion look reverse Dolidze marked his second time headlining a UFC occasion, following a co-main occasion in Seattle in February. Though it was a strong efficiency and a second profession victory over Brendan Allen, Hernandez was disillusioned to go the gap and find yourself with a win through unanimous resolution relatively than a end.
Highlighting a rib harm that added to that battle’s issue, this time round in opposition to Dolidze he was wholesome sufficient to stream freely with out harm. Nonetheless, that didn’t imply he wasn’t met with a special sort of adversity.
“It was undoubtedly my finest efficiency, however I really feel like you may at all times do higher,” Hernandez mentioned. “You may at all times modify. There was a pair instances I acquired knocked off stability, so clearly, I gotta f***ing work on some s***, however I’ll get again to the fitness center right here quickly, as these little stitches get taken out. I acquired some holes to fill, and we simply hold plugging and enjoying.
“That was simply grabbing a motherf***er and letting him know. Like no, this ends now, bro. He was grabbing the cage, and he was grabbing my gloves. I get it. You don’t wanna get your ass whooped, however you gotta take that s***, not cheat, however it’s what it’s.”
In the end, Hernandez needs to remain energetic and hold making his case to problem for the title. This time subsequent 12 months, “Fluffy” is assured the panorama will form up in his favor, anticipating to win the title by halfway via 2026.
“Hopefully, I’ve that s*** by then, however nonetheless the world works out, it’s labored out nice for me,” he mentioned. “I’m gonna hold knocking it down one battle at a time if I’ve to.
“I believe I’m prepared for the belt. Dana is aware of that. He’s seen me battle a bunch of instances, and if I’ve to maintain displaying out, I’ll. I actually don’t care. I’m constructed for conflict, man. That’s the one factor I’m good at doing.”
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