Anthony Hernandez (fighter)
Anthony Hernandez (born October 18, 1993) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing as a Middleweight with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional since 2014, he has also competed with Global Knockout and Legacy Fighting Alliance. Background. Hernandez grew up in Dunnigan, California and graduated from Woodland High School in 2011. He wrestled in high school but got kicked out of the team because of grades. He attended college for a spell but dropped out to pursue a career in mixed martial arts. Martial arts career. Amateur career. Anthony Hernandez made his amateur debut in 2010  during Ring of Fire 1, when he faced Michael Green Jr. He won the fight by unanimous decision. This would be the first win of an eight fight winning streak, which ended in a chance to fight for the King of the Cage Amateur Middleweight title, against Justin Jones. Hernandez lost the fight by submission in the first round. Early career. In 2018, during LFA 32, he fought for the Legacy Fighting Alliance Middleweight title against Brendan Allen. Hernandez won a unanimous decision. Fighting under the banner of Dana White's Contender Series 10 , he faced Jordan Wright. Despite winning  the fight in 40 seconds, the fight would be declared a no contest, as Hernandez tested positive for marijuana. He was penalized 15% of his purse and suspended for 6 months. Ultimate Fighting Championship. Hernandez made his UFC debut during when he faced Markus Perez. He lost in the second round, by anaconda choke. During he faced Park Jun-yong. He won this fight by anaconda choke. Hernandez faced Kevin Holland on May 16, 2020 at . He lost the fight after just 39 seconds, by TKO. Hernandez was scheduled to face five-time Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Rodolfo Vieira on  January 16, 2021 at UFC on ABC 1. However, Hernandez pulled out due to a positive COVID-19 test and they were rescheduled for UFC 258 on February 13, 2021. Hernandez won the fight via a guillotine choke in round two in a huge upset. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award. Hernandez was scheduled to face Punahele Soriano on June 26, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 190. However, Hernandez was pulled from the event due to injury and he was replaced by Brendan Allen at UFC Fight Night 192. Hernandez was scheduled to face Dustin Stoltzfus on  December 18, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 199. However, Hernandez withdrew from the event due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by newcomer Caio Borralho. Hernandez was scheduled to face Albert Duraev on April 9, 2022, at UFC 273. However, due to a rib injury, Duraev was pull from the event and he was replaced by Dricus du Plessis. Du Plessis was eventually moved to another matchup on the card and Hernandez was instead booked against Josh Fremd. He won the bout via unanimous decision. Personal life. Hernandez has two children.