Sean Strickland Braces for 'Miserable' Fight Against Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston

Former UFC middleweight champion expects a grueling battle against his tough opponent.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is preparing for a difficult fight against Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston. Strickland described the upcoming bout as a 'miserable fight' that will be tough to train for due to Hernandez's relentless style and gas tank. Strickland is looking to bounce back from a loss to Dricus du Plessis and potentially earn another title shot, while Hernandez enters the fight on a hot streak and looking to make his own case for a championship opportunity.

Why it matters

This fight between two of the top middleweights in the UFC has major implications, as the winner could potentially earn a title shot in the near future. Strickland is a former champion looking to regain his spot at the top, while Hernandez is an up-and-coming contender trying to make a name for himself. The clash of styles and personalities also adds an intriguing storyline to the matchup.

The details

Strickland has been open about the difficulty in preparing for Hernandez, describing his opponent as a 'parasite' who is tough to train for due to his endless gas tank and relentless grappling style. Hernandez has beaten some of Strickland's teammates in the past, adding to the former champion's motivation to get the win. Both fighters are known for their entertaining and hard-nosed styles, setting the stage for what should be a grueling and memorable fight.

  • Strickland and Hernandez are scheduled to fight at UFC Houston on February 25, 2026.

The players

Sean Strickland

A former UFC middleweight champion who is looking to bounce back from a recent loss and potentially earn another title shot.

Anthony Hernandez

A rising middleweight contender who is on a hot streak and looking to make a case for a championship opportunity with a win over Strickland.

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What they’re saying

“'Fluffy' is a hard f*cking fight. Endless gas tank, he's beat some of my buddies. I think Edmen (Shahbazyan) kind of s*** the bed in that fight. … Yeah, it's going to be a great fight. I can't wait. It's going to be a miserable fight.”

— Sean Strickland, Former UFC Middleweight Champion (ESPN MMA)

“There's going to be a level of misery there that's hard to train for. It's hard to train for that kind of misery. You know it's going to be fourth round, fifth round. Like, f****. Five more minutes of this f****** parasite. That's how he's made his career lying on guys, but it's hard.”

— Sean Strickland, Former UFC Middleweight Champion (ESPN MMA)

What’s next

The winner of the Strickland-Hernandez fight could potentially earn a title shot against the current UFC middleweight champion, Khamzat Chimaev, who has been on Strickland's radar for years.

The takeaway

This matchup between two of the top middleweights in the UFC promises to be a grueling and entertaining affair, with both fighters known for their hard-hitting and relentless styles. The winner could position themselves for a shot at the UFC middleweight title in the near future.