UFC Fight Night on Paramount+: Where to watch Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez and more things to know
CBS Sports
by
Brent Brookhouse
February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
UFC Fight Night returns to Houston on Saturday, Feb. 21, with a star-studded main event featuring Sean Strickland and Anthony Hernandez in a highly anticipated middleweight clash. Strickland, a former UFC middleweight champion known for his dramatic upsets and resilient performances, will face Hernandez, who has climbed to No. 4 in the rankings after an impressive eight-fight winning streak. The event, taking place at Toyota Center, also features other notable matchups, including Geoff Neal versus Uros Medic and Dan Ige against Melquizael Costa, as well as the highly anticipated UFC debut of Josiah Harrell.
Strickland’s journey to this fight is marked by both triumph and setbacks. After shocking the world with his victory over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293, Strickland lost the title in a split decision to Dricus du Plessis. However, he bounced back with another split decision win over Paulo Costa before suffering another defeat in a rematch with du Plessis. Now, Strickland aims to reclaim his momentum and make a strong statement against Hernandez, who has steadily risen through the ranks despite starting his UFC career with two losses. Hernandez’s remarkable turnaround includes eight consecutive wins, earning him a spot just one position below Strickland in the official rankings.
In addition to the main event, the fight card boasts several other compelling matchups. Geoff Neal, ranked No. 12, takes on Uros Medic, known for his tenacity and toughness. Meanwhile, Dan Ige, ranked No. 14, faces Melquizael Costa, who is on a five-fight winning streak. Both fighters are approaching the event with renewed focus after overcoming significant personal challenges: Neal has been in a five-year battle with substance abuse, while Ige recovered from eye injuries sustained before his fight against Patricio Pitbull.
Elsewhere on the card, Ante Delija and Serghei Spivac clash in a heavyweight bout.
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/22/2026