“Fluffy” has Final Preventing 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 Prime 15 rankings.
The 31-year-old does know who the champion at present is, although, and he believes UFC Middleweight kingpin Dricus Du Plessis is the one 185er who can maintain his insane tempo.
“I feel [what] could be a fantastic struggle realistically and who mixes it up rather well could be Du Plessis,” Hernandez advised MMAMania.com within the UFC Vegas 99 post-fight press convention (watch right here). “He mixes it very f—king effectively, and that’s why he’s champion proper now. He’s only a robust motherf—ker, and he goes. He seems to be like he’s gassed, and he retains pushing. I’d like to struggle 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 towards one another at UFC 273. Nonetheless, just a few weeks after the pair had been scheduled to struggle, they had been rebooked towards completely different opponents. Du Plessis was booked towards Kelvin Gastelum (the struggle 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 in all probability 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 protected to say Hernandez should maintain climbing up.
He can rematch Brendan Allen (they fought again in Legacy Preventing Alliance (LFA) in 2018) or struggle former title challenger Jared Cannonier.
Hernandez additionally advised MMAMania.com that he welcomes a struggle with former UFC Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
For full UFC Vegas 99 outcomes, protection, and highlights, click on HERE.
