Anthony Hernandez

For other people named Anthony Hernandez, see Anthony Hernandez (disambiguation).

Anthony Hernandez
Born	(1993-10-18) October 18, 1993 (age 31) Dunnigan, California, U.S.
Nickname	Fluffy
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight	185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Division	Middleweight
Reach	75 in (191 cm) [1]
Stance	Orthodox
Fighting out of	El Dorado Hills, California, U.S.
Team	MMA Gold [2] Marinoble's Martial Arts [2]
Rank	Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu [3] Black belt in Marinoble's MMA System [4]
Years active	2014–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	16
Wins	13
By knockout	3
By submission	8
By decision	2
Losses	2
By knockout	1
By submission	1
No contests	1
Amateur record
Total	10
Wins	9
By knockout	4
By submission	3
Losses	1
By submission	1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

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). A professional since 2014, he has also competed with Global Knockout and Legacy Fighting Alliance. As of October 29, 2024, he is #13 in the UFC middleweight rankings. ^[5]

Background

Hernandez grew up in Dunnigan, California and graduated from Woodland High School in 2011. ^[6] He wrestled in high school but got kicked out of the team because of grades. ^[7] He attended college for a spell but dropped out to pursue a career in mixed martial arts. ^[4]

Mixed martial arts career

Amateur career

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. ^[8] 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. ^[9]

Early career

In 2018, during LFA 32, Hernandez fought for the Legacy Fighting Alliance Middleweight title against Brendan Allen. ^[10] Hernandez won a unanimous decision. ^[11]

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. ^[12]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Hernandez made his UFC debut on February 2, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Assunção vs. Moraes 2 when he faced Markus Perez. ^[13] He lost in the second round, by anaconda choke. ^[14]

Hernandez faced Jun Yong Park on August 31, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Zhang. ^[15] He won this fight by anaconda choke. ^[16]

Hernandez faced Kevin Holland on May 16, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris. ^[17] He lost the fight after just 39 seconds, by TKO. ^[18]

Hernandez was scheduled to face five-time Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Rodolfo Vieira on January 16, 2021, at UFC on ABC 1. ^[19] However, Hernandez pulled out due to a positive COVID-19 test and they were rescheduled for UFC 258 on February 13, 2021. ^[20] Hernandez won the fight via a guillotine choke in round two in a huge upset. ^[21] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award. ^[22]

Hernandez was scheduled to face Punahele Soriano on June 26, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 190. ^[23] However, Hernandez was pulled from the event due to injury and was replaced by Brendan Allen at UFC Fight Night 192. ^[24]

Hernandez was scheduled to face Dustin Stoltzfus on December 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 199. ^[25] However, Hernandez withdrew from the event due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by newcomer Caio Borralho. ^[26]

Hernandez was scheduled to face Albert Duraev on April 9, 2022, at UFC 273. ^[27] However, due to a rib injury, Duraev was pull from the event and he was replaced by Dricus du Plessis. ^[28] Du Plessis was eventually moved to another matchup on the card and Hernandez was instead booked against Josh Fremd. ^[29] He won the fight via unanimous decision. ^[30]

Hernandez faced Marc-André Barriault on September 17, 2022 at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Song. ^[31] He won the fight via a submission in round three. ^[32]

Hernandez faced Edmen Shahbazyan on May 20, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 223. ^[33] He won the fight via technical knockout in round three. ^[34]

Hernandez was scheduled to face Chris Curtis at UFC Fight Night 227 on September 16, 2023. ^[35] However, Curtis withdrew due to a rib injury and was replaced by Roman Kopylov. ^[36] In turn, Hernandez pulled out of the bout due to a torn ligament and was replaced by Josh Fremd. ^[37]

Hernandez was scheduled to face Ikram Aliskerov on February 17, 2024, at UFC 298. ^[38] However Aliskerov withdrew due to compilations related to illness and was replaced by Roman Kopylov. ^[39] In a competitive bout, Hernandez won by a rear-naked choke submission in the second round. ^[40] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award. ^[41]

Hernandez was scheduled to face Roman Dolidze on June 1, 2024 at UFC 302. ^[42] However Hernandez was forced out of the bout due to a torn ligament in his hand. ^[43]

Hernandez was scheduled to face Michel Pereira on September 14, 2024 at UFC 306. ^[44] However, the bout was rescheduled to October 19, 2024 to serve as the main event at UFC Fight Night 245. ^[45] Hernandez won the fight by technical knockout as a result of significant control time and ground strikes in the fifth round. ^[46] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award. ^[47]

Hernandez is scheduled to face Brendan Allen in a rematch on February 22, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 252. ^[48]

Personal life

Hernandez has four children. ^[49] Hernandez's father passed away due to lung disease in March 2018; in a June 2018 interview, he referred to his late father as his best friend. ^[50]

Championships and accomplishments

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Performance of the Night (Three times) vs. Rodolfo Vieira, Roman Kopylov & Michel Pereira ^{[22] [41] [47]}
    • 2021 Half-Year Awards: Biggest Upset of the 1HY vs. Rodolfo Vieira ^[51]
  • Most significant ground strikes landed in a UFC middleweight bout (97) (vs. Michel Pereira) ^[52]
  • Most takedowns attempted in a UFC middleweight bout (29) (vs. Michel Pereira) ^[52]
    • Fourth most takedowns attempted in a bout in UFC history (29) (vs. Michel Pereira) ^[53]
  • Largest striking differential in a UFC middleweight bout (+128) (vs. Michel Pereira) ^[52]
  • Latest knockout in a UFC Middleweight bout (2:22 in R5) (vs. Michel Pereira)
• Legacy Fighting Alliance
  • LFA Middleweight Championship ^[11]
• Cageside Press
  • 2021 Submission of the Year vs. Rodolfo Vieira ^[54]
• Jitsmagazine
  • 2021 MMA Submission of the Year vs. Rodolfo Vieira ^[55]
• Combat Press
  • 2021 MMA Submission of the Year vs. Rodolfo Vieira ^[56]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown

16 matches	13 wins	2 losses
By knockout	3	1
By submission	8	1
By decision	2	0
No contests	1

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Win	13–2 (1)	Michel Pereira	TKO (elbows)	UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Pereira	October 19, 2024	5	2:22	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Performance of the Night.
Win	12–2 (1)	Roman Kopylov	Submission (rear-naked choke)	UFC 298	February 17, 2024	2	3:23	Anaheim, California, United States	Performance of the Night.
Win	11–2 (1)	Edmen Shahbazyan	TKO (elbows and punches)	UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Hill	May 20, 2023	3	1:01	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	10–2 (1)	Marc-André Barriault	Technical submission (arm-triangle choke)	UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Song	September 17, 2022	3	1:53	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	9–2 (1)	Josh Fremd	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 273	April 9, 2022	3	5:00	Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Win	8–2 (1)	Rodolfo Vieira	Submission (guillotine choke)	UFC 258	February 13, 2021	2	1:53	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Performance of the Night.
Loss	7–2 (1)	Kevin Holland	TKO (knees and punches)	UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris	May 16, 2020	1	0:39	Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Win	7–1 (1)	Park Jun-yong	Submission (anaconda choke)	UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Zhang	August 31, 2019	2	4:39	Shenzhen, China
Loss	6–1 (1)	Markus Perez	Submission (anaconda choke)	UFC Fight Night: Assunção vs. Moraes 2	February 2, 2019	2	1:07	Fortaleza, Brazil
NC	6–0 (1)	Jordan Wright	NC (overturned)	Dana White's Contender Series 10	June 19, 2018	1	0:40	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Originally a KO (punches) win for Hernandez; overturned after he tested positive for marijuana.
Win	6–0	Brendan Allen	Decision (unanimous)	LFA 32	January 26, 2018	5	5:00	Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States	Won the vacant LFA Middleweight Championship.
Win	5–0	Mike Persons	Submission (guillotine choke)	GKO 9	March 18, 2017	1	1:54	Jackson, California, United States
Win	4–0	Jumoke Hunter	Submission (guillotine choke)	GKO 7	August 27, 2016	1	3:09	Jackson, California, United States
Win	3–0	Preston Snook	Submission (guillotine choke)	GKO 4	August 29, 2015	1	1:45	Jackson, California, United States
Win	2–0	Kenny Ento	Submission (guillotine choke)	GKO 3	March 21, 2015	1	3:30	Jackson, California, United States
Win	1–0	Trey Williams	KO (punch)	West Coast FC 11	September 13, 2014	1	0:51	Sacramento, California, United States

^[57]

Amateur mixed martial arts record

Amateur record breakdown
10 matches	9 wins	1 loss
By knockout	4	0
By submission	3	1
By decision	1	0
By disqualification	1	0

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Win	9–1	Eric Smith	Submission (armbar)	West Coast FC 5	May 3, 2013	2	0:43	Sacramento, California, United States
Loss	8–1	Justin Jones	Submission (rear-naked choke)	KOTC: Fighting Legends	April 13, 2013	1	1:42	Sacramento, California, United States	For the KOTC Middleweight title.
Win	8–0	Matt Wilson	TKO (punches)	West Coast FC 4	January 18, 2013	1	N/A	Sacramento, California, United States
Win	7–0	Blake Smee	TKO (punches)	Ultimate Reno Combat 35	July 20, 2012	3	1:11	Reno, Nevada, United States
Win	6-0	Randall Wallace	Submission (rear-naked choke)	Ultimate Reno Combat 33	May 18, 2012	2	1:48	Reno, Nevada, United States
Win	5–0	Sean Nelson	DQ	Dawgs of War 06/22/12	June 22, 2012	1	1:00	Roseville, California, United States
Win	4–0	Albert Townsend	Submission (triangle choke)	Ultimate Reno Combat: Fight Factory at the Knit 1	March 23, 2012	1	1:01	Reno, Nevada, United States	Townsend missed weight (187.5 lbs).
Win	3–0	Jeremiah Johnson	TKO (punches)	Battle of the Titans II	February 18, 2012	1	1:23	Rancho Cordova, Nevada, United States
Win	2–0	Mike Ramos	KO (knee to the body)	URC 28: Invincible	October 21, 2011	2	1:51	Reno, Nevada, United States
Win	1–0	Michael Green Jr.	Decision (unanimous)	Ring of Fire 1	June 25, 2010	3	2:00	Arcadia, California, United States

^[57]

See also

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists

References

1. "Anthony Hernandez". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
2. Alexandra Scaffidi (May 15, 2020). "Anthony Hernandez says pandemic benefitted his camp: 'Less injuries' training like this". bloodyelbow.com.
3. Riton Optics (2021-09-29). The Riton Podcast - Episode 39: Who's Fluffy (w/ Anthony Hernandez) – via YouTube.
4. "Anthony Hernandez | UFC". UFC.com. 14 September 2018. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
5. "UFC Rankings | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
6. Matt Murphy (January 31, 2019). "Woodland native Hernandez set for UFC debut". Daily Democrat .
7. The Quintana Show (September 24, 2021). Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez: Learning to Fight Amongst Tumbleweeds & Dust • Politicalish Podcast – via YouTube.
8. "Ring of Fire Ring of Fire 1". sherdog.com. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
9. "Justin Jones vs. Anthony Hernandez". tapology.com. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
10. "Tonight's LFA 32 headliners, Brendan Allen and Anthony Hernandez, are UFC-focused". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. 26 January 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
11. "LFA 32 results and highlights: Ryan Spann drops Alex Nicholson for comeback title win". MMA Junkie. 2018-01-27. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
12. "Contender Series fighters Anthony Hernandez, Jordan Williams sanctioned for failing drug tests". mmafighting.com. 22 August 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
13. "Multiple UFC 233 fights get new dates, locations after Jan. 26 card scratched". MMAjunkie. 2018-12-12. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
14. "UFC Fortaleza results: Markus Perez stuns, chokes out Anthony Hernandez". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. 3 February 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
15. Doherty, Dan (2019-08-31). "UFC Shenzhen Results: Anthony Hernandez Submits Tough Jun Yong Park". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
16. "UFC Shenzhen Results: Anthony Hernandez Submits Tough Jun Yong Park". cagesidepress.com. 31 August 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
17. Martin, Damon (2020-05-01). "UFC reveals full fight cards for May 13 and May 16 events". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
18. "Knockout! Watch Kevin Holland demolish Anthony Hernandez in just 39 seconds at UFC on ESPN 8". mmamania.com. 16 May 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
19. Marcel Dorff (2020-11-20). "BJJ specialist Rodolfo Vieira treft Anthony Hernandez tijdens UFC evenement op 16 januari". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-02-16.
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21. Vreeland, Daniel (2021-02-13). "UFC 258 Results: Anthony Hernandez Shocks the World, Taps Rodolfo Viera". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
22. "UFC 258 Bonuses: Usman Among Fighters To Nab Performance Checks". MMA News. 2021-02-14. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
23. "Anthony Hernandez vs. Punahele Soriano set for UFC Fight Night in June". MMA Junkie. 2021-03-18. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
24. "Punahele Soriano krijgt nieuwe tegenstander en nieuwe datum na afzegging Anthony Hernandez". MMA DNA (in Dutch). 2021-05-26. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
25. "Anthony Hernandez vs. Dustin Stoltzfus toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 18 december". MMA DNA (in Dutch). 2021-09-08. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
26. Guilherme Cruz and Mike Heck (2021-11-29). "Dustin Stoltzfus vs. Caio Borralho targeted for UFC Vegas 45 with Anthony Hernandez injured". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
27. "Anthony Hernandez vs. Albert Duraev joins UFC 273 lineup on April 9". MMA Junkie. 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
28. Heck, Mike (2022-03-15). "With Chris Curtis and Albert Duraev out, Dricus Du Plessis now faces Anthony Hernandez at UFC 273". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
29. Staff (2022-03-29). "With Kelvin Gastelum now facing Dricus Du Plessis, Anthony Hernandez welcomes newcomer Josh Fremd at UFC 273". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
30. Bitter, Shawn (2022-04-09). "UFC 273: After Year Plus Layoff, Anthony Hernandez Spoils Josh Fremd's Debut". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-04-10.
31. Lee, Alexander K. (2022-07-13). "UFC Fight Roundup: Anthony Hernandez looks to extend winning streak against Marc-Andre Barriault on Sept. 17". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
32. Anderson, Jay (2022-09-17). "UFC Vegas 60 Results: Anthony Hernandez Chokes Out Gritty Marc-Andre Barriault". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
33. "Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Anthony Hernandez booked for UFC event on May 20". MMA Junkie. 2023-02-22. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
34. Heck, Mike (2023-05-20). "UFC Vegas 73 video: Anthony Hernandez mauls Edmen Shahbazyan for third-round TKO". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
35. Mike Heck (June 21, 2023). "Anthony Hernandez vs. Chris Curtis set for Sept. 16 UFC event in Las Vegas". mmafighting.com.
36. Alexander K. Lee (2023-08-15). "Roman Kopylov replaces Chris Curtis, fights Anthony Hernandez at Noche UFC". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
37. With Anthony Hernandez out of Noche UFC, Josh Fremd steps in to fight Roman Kopylov (2023-08-23). "With Anthony Hernandez out of Noche UFC, Josh Fremd steps in to fight Roman Kopylov". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
38. Al-Shatti, Shaun (2023-12-01). "Anthony Hernandez vs. Ikram Aliskerov set for UFC 298". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
39. Heck, Mike (2024-01-21). "With Ikram Aliskerov out, Anthony Hernandez now meets Roman Kopylov at UFC 298". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
40. Nolan King (2024-02-18). "UFC 298 results: Anthony Hernandez snatches Roman Kopylov's neck for deep submission". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
41. Dan Hiergesell (2024-02-18). "Bonuses! Ilia Topuria cleans up, banks $50K for title fight KO - UFC 298". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
42. Martin, Damon (2024-03-25). "Anthony Hernandez vs. Roman Dolidze on tap for UFC 302 in June". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
43. Meshew, Jed (2024-04-29). "Anthony Hernandez out of UFC 302 fight with Roman Dolidze". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
44. Danny Segura and Farah Hannoun (2024-07-02). "Michel Pereira vs. Anthony Hernandez booked for Noche UFC at The Sphere". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
45. Guilherme Cruz (2024-07-26). "Michel Pereira vs. Anthony Hernandez moved from UFC 306 to Fight Night main event in October". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
46. Jay Anderson (2024-10-19). "UFC Vegas 99: Anthony Hernandez Sets Records While Tenderizing Michel Pereira". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
47. Chris Taylor (2024-10-19). "UFC Vegas 99 Bonus Report: Darren Elkins and Daniel Pineda earn FOTN honors". bjpenn.com. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
48. Alexander K. Lee (2024-11-19). "Anthony Hernandez vs. Brendan Allen 2 set for Feb. 22 UFC Fight Night". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
49. Jim Norton; Matt Serra (February 16, 2021). "Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez, Coach Eric Nicksick, and UFC 258 Recap" (Podcast).
50. Steven Marrocco (2018-06-22). "Anthony Hernandez's emotional tribute to his dad after knockout win at DWCS 10". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
51. Thomas Gerbasi (June 30, 2021). "The Upsets - 2021 Half-Year Awards". Ultimate Fighting Championship .
52. Mike Bohn (2024-10-20). "UFC Fight Night 245 post-event facts: Anthony Hernandez sets multiple middleweight records in dominant win". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
53. "UFC Records - All Divisions - Fight Stats". statleaders.ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
54. "MMA 2021 Year in Review: Submission of the Year". 31 December 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
55. "The Jitsmagazine 2021 BJJ Awards". 2 January 2022.
56. Matthew Petela (January 27, 2022). "Combat Press 2021 MMA Awards: Submission of the Year – Anthony Hernandez vs. Rodolfo Vieira".
57. Sherdog.com. "Anthony". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-05-30.

External links

• Anthony Hernandez at UFC
• Professional MMA record for Anthony Hernandez from Sherdog