This Saturday in Houston, Anthony Hernandez will face Sean Strickland in a critical UFC middleweight bout, spotlighting efforts to revitalize a division that has struggled with inactivity and lack of compelling matchups. As the UFC’s middleweight scene faces challenges with few fights from reigning and former champions, this matchup offers a chance to clarify the hierarchy and spotlight the next generation of contenders.
Declining Activity Among Top Middleweight Fighters
Current titleholder Khamzat Chimaev has only competed once per year over the last three years, while the previous four champions—Dricus Du Plessis, Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya, and Robert Whittaker—have collectively fought just five times so far in 2025. This slowing pace has left contenders eager for competition but with limited opportunities to face established names.
Reiner de Ridder, arriving from ONE Championship with a history as a two-division champion, has been among the busiest, competing five times within 11 months after his UFC debut in late 2024. Alongside him, rising middleweights like Anthony Hernandez, Caio Borralho, and Joe Pyfer have pushed hard for recognition but struggled to secure high-profile fights due to the scarcity of willing opponents within the top ranks.
Anthony Hernandez’s Climb Through the Middleweight Ranks
Hernandez has been unstoppable since 2021, boasting an 8-0 run with a 75 percent finish rate, powered by aggressive pressure, versatile grappling, and a range of chokeholds. His relentless style and ability to control the fight make him a threat wherever the contest goes. However, middleweights wary of risking their standing have often avoided taking him on.
Despite this, Hernandez has maintained activity by accepting all challengers ranked inside and outside the top 15. In 2024 and 2025, he fought twice each year, racking up three performance bonuses. His notable victories include stopping the hard-hitting Roman Dolidze, outmaneuvering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert Brendan Allen, overpowering unpredictable Michel Pereira, and neutralizing the striking skills of Roman Kopylov.
Injuries and Opponent Avoidance Affecting Hernandez’s Path
Two main obstacles have hindered Hernandez’s momentum: injuries and reluctance from top-tier middleweights to face him. A torn ligament in his hand forced him out of a 2024 rematch with Dolidze, and an undisclosed injury led to his withdrawal from a scheduled bout with Reiner de Ridder in October 2025. Meanwhile, several high-ranking opponents have shied away from risking their position against his rising trajectory.
Sean Strickland’s Return and Controversial Reputation
Stepping up to face Hernandez is Sean Strickland, the divisional No. 3 contender at 34 years old, known for his abrasive personality and provocative behavior outside the Octagon. Despite these distractions, Strickland holds a decorated UFC resume that includes a five-round unanimous decision win over the No. 2-ranked Nassourdine Imavov, a fighter who has remained undefeated or drawn against top competition since that fight.
Strickland’s last four fights have carried significant attention, headlining PPV events often featuring championships. His unexpected upset victory over Israel Adesanya as a +470 underdog earned him the middleweight title, though his reign lasted just four months before losing it to Dricus Du Plessis.
Challenges and Controversies Marking Strickland’s Career
Strickland’s time as champion was marked by discomfort with the role, including altercations at UFC events and outspoken, divisive comments during media interactions. His unpredictability pushed the boundaries of acceptable behavior for a titleholder, but the UFC continued to grant him opportunities.
After losing the belt, Strickland secured a split decision win over Paulo Costa, propelling him into a rematch with Du Plessis, who decisively defeated him again. Strickland has claimed he sustained a broken shoulder in a motorcycle accident during training camp, which affected his performance in that fight, but he chose not to withdraw, balancing the rarity of championship shots with the risk of punishment for pulling out of high-profile fights.
More recently, Strickland’s decision to rush the cage during a regional event, attacking an opponent in flip-flops following a teammate’s victory, led to a six-month suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, delaying his UFC return into 2026.
What This Match Means for Hernandez and Strickland
This contest may be the opportunity Hernandez has needed to face a recognized veteran and rise closer to a title shot against Khamzat Chimaev. With many top competitors like Adesanya, Du Plessis, Imavov, and Whittaker either inactive or uninterested, Strickland represents the most notable opponent willing to take Hernandez on.
Despite Hernández entering as a strong favorite with implied odds between -250 and -325, Strickland’s defensive skills and precise striking pose a challenging contrast to Hernandez’s aggressive, pressure-heavy approach. Both fighters prefer leading the pace, seeking to control the action through endurance and mental toughness, making this a battle of attrition.
Anticipating a Grueling and Intense Battle Inside the Octagon
The fight will likely be a relentless, exhausting five-round war, with Strickland aiming to maintain distance and Hernandez looking to engage in close combat along the fence. Victory will belong to the fighter who can impose their preferred style and maintain control under pressure.
Anthony Hernandez remains eager to prove himself in this demanding environment, recognizing that overcoming a fighter of Strickland’s caliber is essential for reaching the upper tier of the UFC middleweight division. The outcome could greatly influence the division’s future landscape and reshape contender dynamics as the title picture evolves.
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“Former middleweight champion Sean Strickland faces Anthony Hernandez as the UFC returns to Houston. Watch UFC Fight Night action Saturday, Feb. 21 on Sportsnet 360 and Sportsnet+ with coverage beginning at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT.” – Unattributed
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