Anthony Hernandez hasn’t lost a fight in half a decade, but he’s yet to fight for a UFC championship.
Hernandez (14-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) is on quite the streak, picking up seven consecutive wins at 185 pounds with three Performance of the Night bonuses. “Fluffy” returns this Saturday as he headlines UFC on ESPN 72 (ESPN, ESPN+) against fellow contender Roman Dolidze (15-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC). Many wonder how many more wins Hernandez will need to earn his shot at the title, but Hernandez is not sweating it.
“I’ve been getting tagged in stuff like, ‘You’re the dark horse,'” Hernandez told MMA Junkie on Monday. “A lot of people have been pissed that I’m at the Apex like, ‘No, f*ck that. I wanted to go see him,’ which is a f*cking blessing because now the fans are starting to get behind me. The true people that know martial arts, they know that I know my sh*t, so whatever, it will all work out soon.”
Should he get past Dolidze, Hernandez believes a title shot could come at any moment.
“I’m ready for whatever,” Hernandez said. “This game is crazy, and you never know what to expect in this f*cking world. Someone can get hurt, and you can get called tomorrow. F*ck, who knows?”
Hernandez expects an exciting fight this Saturday. He believes Dolidze is the right dance partner to put on a show.
“I watched his tape, and I’ve watched him fight a few times, too,” Hernandez said. “Like I said, he’s a big f*cking brute, he moves forward, and he throws everything to knock you out. I think it’s going to make for a great f*cking fight.”
