Strickland stuns Hernandez with TKO in UFC Houston main event
Warning: Story contains coarse language
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland returned to the win column Saturday night with one of the best performances of his career.
Strickland finished surging contender Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez via TKO at the 2:33 mark of the third round in the UFC Houston main event at the Toyota Center.
Strickland stepped into the Octagon for the first time since a title-fight loss to Dricus Du Plessis last February and earned his first win since June 2024. It was also Strickland's first knockout victory since he beat Abus Magomedov in July 2023.
The finishing sequence began when Strickland hurt Hernandez with a knee to the body. Strickland pressed forward and unleashed a vicious combination of punches. He landed a few uppercuts and then a right hand that put Hernandez on the ground. Strickland followed up with ground-and-pound, forcing referee Herb Dern to wave off the fight.
After the win, Strickland said he wants a title shot at Khamzat Chimaev next. Strickland was ranked No. 3 and Hernandez was No. 4 entering Saturday's bout.
"(If) Chimaev gets off the bench, I'd like a piece of that little Chechen whore," Strickland said in his postfight interview. "But you never know with him. You never know with that guy. But that's what I want."
Strickland dictated the action throughout the main event, winning the first two rounds on all three judges' scorecards. He fought well behind his jab, controlling the distance and outlanding Hernandez 110-55 in significant strikes. Strickland stuffed his opponent's only takedown attempt.
The 34-year-old American has alternated wins and losses in his past five outings, dating back to his title win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in September 2023.
Hernandez's eight-fight winning streak came to an end. It was the 32-year-old's first loss since a knockout against Kevin Holland in May 2020.