Anthony Hernandez

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 August 22, 2026, he is #9 in the Meta UFC middleweight rankings.

Background Hernandez was born in Dunnigan, California, on October 18, 1993, into a Mexican family. He graduated from Woodland High School in 2011. He wrestled in high school but got kicked off of the team due to grades. He attended college for a short time but dropped out to pursue a career in mixed martial arts. 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.

Early career 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.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Hernandez made his UFC debut on February 2, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 144 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 157. He won this fight by anaconda choke.

Hernandez faced Kevin Holland on May 16, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 8. 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 210. 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. However Aliskerov withdrew due to compilations related to illness and was replaced by Roman Kopylov. In a competitive bout, Hernandez won by a rear-naked choke submission in the second round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

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

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

Hernandez faced former LFA Middleweight Champion Brendan Allen in a rematch on February 22, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 252. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Hernandez' bout with Roman Dolidze was rescheduled and took place on August 9, 2025 in the main event at UFC on ESPN 72. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the fourth round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

Hernandez was scheduled to face former ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion Reinier de Ridder on October 18, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 262. However, Hernandez was forced to withdraw from the bout due to an injury and was replaced by Brendan Allen.

Hernandez faced former UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland in the main event on February 21, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 267. He lost the fight by technical knockout in the third round, ending his eight‑fight win streak.

Hernandez faced fellow former LFA Middleweight Champion Gregory Rodrigues in the main event on August 22, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 285. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. This fight earned him his first $100,000 Fight of the Night award.

Personal life Hernandez has four children. Hernandez's father died due to lung disease in March 2018; in a June 2018 interview, he referred to his late father as his best friend.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time) Third highest significant strike accuracy percentage in UFC Middleweight division history (60.1%) Most takedowns attempted (29) (vs. Michel Pereira) UFC.com Awards 2021: Ranked #2 Submission of the Year, Ranked #2 Upset of the Year, & Half-Year Awards: Biggest Upset of the 1HY 2024: Ranked #6 Submission of the Year 2025: Ranked #4 Submission of the Year Legacy Fighting Alliance LFA Middleweight Championship 2025 Beatdown of the Year Cageside Press 2021 Submission of the Year vs. Rodolfo Vieira Jitsmagazine 2021 MMA Submission of the Year vs. Rodolfo Vieira Combat Press 2021 MMA Submission of the Year vs. Rodolfo Vieira MMA Sucka 2021 Submission of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Gregory Rodrigues Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Rodrigues

Sacramento, California, United States Loss

Sean Strickland TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Hernandez

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Roman Dolidze Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Dolidze vs. Hernandez

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Brendan Allen Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Song

Seattle, Washington, United States Win

Michel Pereira TKO (elbows) UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Pereira

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Roman Kopylov Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 298

Anaheim, California, United States Win

Edmen Shahbazyan TKO (elbows and punches) UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Hill

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Marc-André Barriault Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Song

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Josh Fremd Decision (unanimous) UFC 273

Jacksonville, Florida, United States Win

Rodolfo Vieira Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 258

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Kevin Holland TKO (knees and punches) UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris

Jacksonville, Florida, United States Win

Park Jun-yong Submission (anaconda choke) UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Zhang

Shenzhen, China Loss

Markus Perez Submission (anaconda choke) UFC Fight Night: Assunção vs. Moraes 2

Fortaleza, Brazil NC

Jordan Wright NC (overturned) Dana White's Contender Series 10

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Brendan Allen Decision (unanimous) LFA 32

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States Win

Mike Persons Submission (guillotine choke) Global Knockout 9

Jackson, California, United States Win

Jumoke Hunter Submission (guillotine choke) Global Knockout 7

Jackson, California, United States Win

Preston Snook Submission (guillotine choke) Global Knockout 4

Jackson, California, United States Win

Kenny Ento Submission (guillotine choke) Global Knockout 3

Jackson, California, United States Win

Trey Williams KO (punch) West Coast FC 11

Sacramento, California, United States

Amateur mixed martial arts record Win

Eric Smith Submission (armbar) West Coast FC 5

Sacramento, California, United States Loss

Justin Jones Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC: Fighting Legends

Sacramento, California, United States Win

Matt Wilson TKO (punches) West Coast FC 4

Sacramento, California, United States Win

Blake Smee TKO (punches) Ultimate Reno Combat 35

Reno, Nevada, United States Win

Randall Wallace Submission (rear-naked choke) Ultimate Reno Combat 33

Reno, Nevada, United States Win

Albert Townsend Submission (triangle choke) Ultimate Reno Combat: Fight Factory at the Knit 1

Reno, Nevada, United States Win

Mike Ramos KO (knee to the body) Ultimate Reno Combat 28

Reno, Nevada, United States Win

Michael Green Jr. Decision (unanimous) Ring of Fire 1

Arcadia, California, United States