Strickland dominates Hernandez in TKO win at UFC Fight Night - ESPN

ESPN

by Brett Okamoto

February 22, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Sean Strickland delivered a dominant performance, securing his first stoppage victory in over two years with a third-round TKO against Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez at UFC Fight Night in Houston. Despite initial expectations of a tough fight, Strickland showcased his skills, utilizing his renowned jab and footwork to control the pace. In a pivotal moment, he landed a powerful knee to the body in the third round, followed by relentless body punches and uppercuts that forced Hernandez's corner to throw in the towel at 2:33 of the same round. Strickland, who had been on a rough patch following a disappointing title fight loss against Dricus Du Plessis in February 2025, bounced back with a vengeance. He outlanded Hernandez 92-62 in total strikes and successfully defended against Hernandez's only takedown attempt. Strickland, known for his resilience, admitted that the fight was tougher than anticipated but praised Hernandez for his character, even calling him "the definition of a man." Despite being an underdog heading into the bout, Strickland proved why he remains a formidable contender in the UFC middleweight division. Hernandez's loss snapped a remarkable eight-fight win streak, with his last defeat dating back to 2020 against Kevin Holland. The Mexican fighter expressed humility post-fight, acknowledging that he got caught off guard by Strickland's relentless assault and vowed to return stronger. Meanwhile, Strickland, now 34 and ranked third in the middleweight division, reignited his championship aspirations. He openly called for a title shot against current champion Khamzat Chimaev, despite Chimaev's extended absence from competition

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/22/2026