UFC Houston post-fight show: Reaction to Sean Strickland finishing Anthony Hernandez; title shot next?
MMA Fighting
February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Sean Strickland made a triumphant return after a year on the sidelines, delivering a dominant performance in the main event of UFC Houston. Strickland stopped Anthony Hernandez with a stunning knockout, showcasing his skillset and resilience despite being out of action for 12 months. Following the victory, Strickland wasted no time calling out middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, signaling his ambitions to challenge for the title. However, the question remains whether this win was enough to bypass Nasourdine Imavov in the contendership race.
In the post-fight show, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee debated Strickland’s potential path to a title shot, while also evaluating Hernandez’s performance. Hernandez, known for his surging momentum heading into the fight, struggled against Strickland’s precision and power. The analysts questioned whether this loss could mark the end of Hernandez’s title hopes, as he continues to face stiff competition in the middleweight division.
The card also featured other standout performances, such as Uros Medic’s incredible knockout win in the co-main event and Melquizael Costa’s rapid rise with another victory. Additionally, Jacobe Smith’s brutal knockout of Josiah Harrell added to the excitement, though not without controversy due to referee blunders that drew criticism from fans.
Strickland’s impressive showing has solidified his position as a serious contender in the middleweight division. His ability to adapt after an extended layoff and execute against a tough opponent like Hernandez highlights his potential as a future title challenger. The outcome of this fight
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Originally published on MMA Fighting on 2/22/2026