Anthony Hernandez (fighter)

Anthony Hernandez (born October 18, 1993) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Hernandez made his amateur debut in 2010 during Ring of Fire 1, when he faced Michael Green Jr. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

This would be the first win of an eight fight winning streak, which ended in a chance to fight for the King of the Cage Amateur Middleweight title, against Justin Jones.

Hernandez lost the fight by submission in the first round.

Hernandez grew up in Dunnigan, California and graduated from Woodland High School in 2011.

He wrestled in high school but got kicked out of the team because of grades.

He attended college for a spell but dropped out to pursue a career in mixed martial arts.

A professional since 2014, he has also competed with Global Knockout and Legacy Fighting Alliance.

As of March 12, 2024, he is #12 in the UFC middleweight rankings.

In 2018, during LFA 32, Hernandez fought for the Legacy Fighting Alliance Middleweight title against Brendan Allen.

Hernandez won a unanimous decision.

Fighting under the banner of Dana White's Contender Series 10, Hernandez faced Jordan Wright.

Despite winning the fight in 40 seconds via knockout, the fight would be declared a no contest, as Hernandez tested positive for marijuana.

He was penalized 15% of his purse and suspended for 6 months.

Hernandez made his UFC debut on February 2, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Assunção vs. Moraes 2 when he faced Markus Perez.

He lost in the second round, by anaconda choke.

Hernandez faced Jun Yong Park on August 31, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Zhang.

He won this fight by anaconda choke.

Hernandez faced Kevin Holland on May 16, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris.

He lost the fight after just 39 seconds, by TKO.

Hernandez was scheduled to face five-time Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Rodolfo Vieira on January 16, 2021, at UFC on ABC 1.

However, Hernandez pulled out due to a positive COVID-19 test and they were rescheduled for UFC 258 on February 13, 2021.

Hernandez won the fight via a guillotine choke in round two in a huge upset.

This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Hernandez was scheduled to face Punahele Soriano on June 26, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 190.

However, Hernandez was pulled from the event due to injury and was replaced by Brendan Allen at UFC Fight Night 192.

Hernandez was scheduled to face Dustin Stoltzfus on December 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 199.

However, Hernandez withdrew from the event due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by newcomer Caio Borralho.

Hernandez was scheduled to face Albert Duraev on April 9, 2022, at UFC 273.

However, due to a rib injury, Duraev was pull from the event and he was replaced by Dricus du Plessis.

Du Plessis was eventually moved to another matchup on the card and Hernandez was instead booked against Josh Fremd.

He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Hernandez faced Marc-André Barriault on September 17, 2022 at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Song.

He won the fight via a submission in round three.

Hernandez faced Edmen Shahbazyan on May 20, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 223.

He won the fight via technical knockout in round three.

Hernandez was scheduled to face Chris Curtis at UFC Fight Night 227 on September 16, 2023.

However, Curtis withdrew due to a rib injury and was replaced by Roman Kopylov.

In turn, Hernandez pulled out of the bout due to a torn ligament and was replaced by Josh Fremd.

Hernandez was scheduled to face Ikram Aliskerov on February 17, 2024, at UFC 298.