“Fluffy” has Final Combating Championship (UFC) gold in sight.
Anthony Hernandez notched his first UFC most important occasion win at UFC Vegas 99 final night time (Sat., Oct. 19, 2024) when he mauled Michel Pereira to finally rating a fifth-round technical knockout from contained in the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada (watch highlights). “Fluffy,” snapped Pereira’s eight-fight profitable streak.
Hernandez by no means calls anybody out after his win, not as a result of he’s attempting to be respectful however just because he doesn’t watch the game and doesn’t know anybody within the High 15 rankings.
The 31-year-old does know who the champion presently is, although, and he believes UFC Middleweight kingpin Dricus Du Plessis is the one 185er who can maintain his insane tempo.
“I believe [what] can be an incredible combat realistically and who mixes it up very well can be Du Plessis,” Hernandez instructed MMAMania.com within the UFC Vegas 99 post-fight press convention (watch right here). “He mixes it very f—king nicely, and that’s why he’s champion proper now. He’s only a powerful motherf—ker, and he goes. He appears to be like like he’s gassed, and he retains pushing. I’d like to combat him. I’m simply going to maintain climbing the ladder so I can get to him. Nice job to him. Sustain the nice work, man.”
Hernandez and Du Plessis had been matched up in opposition to one another at UFC 273. Nevertheless, just a few weeks after the pair had been scheduled to combat, they had been rebooked in opposition to completely different opponents. Du Plessis was booked in opposition to Kelvin Gastelum (the combat finally received canceled), and Hernandez ended up combating a debuting Josh Fremd.
Clearly, “Fluffy” is not going to get Du Plessis subsequent, and he is aware of it.
“Hopefully [I get a No. 1 contender fight next], however most likely not,” Hernandez stated. “There are guys forward of me. I’m not silly. I understand how this sh-t works. It’s all about timing and sh-t. I’m simply going to maintain doing what I do. I’m going to remain prepared, and when my time comes, I’m going to point out the f—okay out, and I’ll get it will definitely.”
With the Middleweight division completely clogged up in the meanwhile, it is secure to say Hernandez should maintain climbing up.
He can rematch Brendan Allen (they fought again in Legacy Combating Alliance (LFA) in 2018) or combat former title challenger Jared Cannonier.
Hernandez additionally instructed MMAMania.com that he welcomes a combat with former UFC Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
For full UFC Vegas 99 outcomes, protection, and highlights, click on HERE.
