Anthony Hernandez is days away from his first fight of the year, and could find himself in a title opportunity should things go his way against former champion Sean Strickland.
While some could feel the pressure of such an important fight, Hernandez (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) appears worry-free and is thrilled to be in fight week for UFC Fight Night 267 (Paramount+). At Toyota Center in Houston, he’ll get the chance to prove to the world that he can beat a former champion in Strickland (29-7 MMA, 16-7 UFC). Until Saturday arrives, Hernandez is simply living in the moment.
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“I don’t got no responsibilities this week, everyone’s taking care of me, and I get to swing on somebody and get paid for it,” Hernandez told reporters at Wednesday’s media day (via UFC).
Hernandez isn’t taking Strickland lightly as a competitor, though. He knows the former champ is well-rounded and presents a style that can be tough to deal with, but he’s confident in his own approach to the fight, which includes implementing his own brand of “torture.” He expects the usual jabs and teeps Strickland typically brings in every fight, but anticipates there could be a different wrinkle given how Strickland’s pair of losses to former champion Dricus Du Plessis unfolded.
“I think he’ll try to wrestle me because the Du Plessis fight didn’t go well, and his coaches talked about it,” Hernadez said. “I think he’s going to try to probably show that he’s a better mixed martial artist, but I’m ready for everything, so I’m excited.”
A win over Strickland would extend Hernandez’s winning streak to nine. He currently holds the No. 6 spot in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie middleweight rankings, behind Israel Adesanya, Strickland, Nassourdine Imavov, Du Plessis, and the champion, Khamzat Chimaev. The current expectation is that Imavov is next up to face Chimaev, which could mean Hernandez would have to win one more fight to get his shot at the title.
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No matter how it unfolds, Hernandez believes he’s going to handle business against anyone.
“The way I see it is, I kind of feel like the boogeyman,” Hernandez said. “You call my name, and if you’re in front of me, I’m coming after you. So, it is what it is. It’s a business. I’m happy the former champ thinks he can take me out, so I’m looking to prove him wrong.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Houston: Anthony Hernandez eager to earn title shot
