The middleweight division has been put on notice once again following Saturday’s fight night at the Apex.
In the UFC middleweight division, the field is wide open after Reinier de Ridder’s close decision win over Robert Whittaker put the Dutchman within distance of title contention.
Every contender is looking towards the UFC 319 main event between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev to see who will be the champion that stands in their way.
Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images
While de Ridder gave a good account of himself, a new top competitor has emerged with a statement choke victory over a fellow ranked rival in Vegas overnight.
UFC contender calls out middleweight division ahead of UFC 319
Anthony ‘Fluffy’ Hernandez made a statement when he finished Roman Dolidze in the fourth round with a nasty upright rear-naked choke following a dominating display.
A mix of accurate strikes, unbridled intensity, and solid groundwork made Dolidze look as though he was never in contention for the belt.
Hernandez’s win will push him into the top nine of the rankings, and he has already set his sights on the division’s top prize.
His post-fight speech laid out his ambition as he asked for a title shot ‘next’ to prove to fans that he is the ‘best in the world’.
Speaking on the ESPN MMA post-show, ‘Fluffy’ reaffirmed his intentions and took aim at the résumé of the ‘Dutch King’.
He said: “I want the belt. The belt is what’s going to change my kids’ life. That’s what’s going to give them better opportunity in life.
“Just chasing these f- – -ing guys one fight at a time. There’s no money in that I don’t really care.
“He had an impressive win over Whitaker. (Bo Nickel) He’s got holes in his game. He’s got a long way to go.
“Whitaker. I got nothing but respect for the guy, but he’s one of the last guys that is one-dimensional.”
UFC contender said five months ago he’d love the Dricus Du Plessis fight
It is not a recent goal of the American’s to fight Du Plessis for the belt; he was supposed to face him in 2022.
After an opponent had pulled out of a bout with the South African, the 31-year-old was supposed to step in, but the fight did not transpire for an unknown reason.
On a UFC media day in February, before his rematch win over Brendan Allen, he spoke to reporters about the DDP fight.
Hernandez said: “I like the fight with DDP. I was supposed to have that fight already. I said yes on like two weeks’ notice or some s- – -. I believe I have the skills to beat the guy.
“It’s crazy because I keep telling people, ‘It looks like he’s gassing,’ but then the motherf- – – – – keeps coming forward. And he’s awkward, so that throws people off. I definitely would like that fight.”
The Californian will be flown into Chicago to watch the UFC 319 main event and may even take the opportunity to call the winner out on the night to take his place at the front of the queue.