“Fluffy” has Final Preventing Championship (UFC) gold in sight.
Anthony Hernandez notched his first UFC fundamental occasion win at UFC Vegas 99 final evening (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 making an attempt 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 presently 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 an awesome struggle realistically and who mixes it up very 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 nicely, 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 have been matched up towards one another at UFC 273. Nonetheless, a couple of weeks after the pair have been scheduled to struggle, they have been rebooked towards totally different opponents. Du Plessis was booked towards Kelvin Gastelum (the struggle in the end acquired canceled), and Hernandez ended up preventing 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 indicate the f—ok out, and I’ll get it will definitely.”
With the Middleweight division completely clogged up for the time being, 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.
