Alexander Hernandez
Alexander Xavier Hernandez (born October 1, 1992) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background. Hernandez began wrestling at the age of 13 and started training in other martial arts as he progressed through education. After graduating from Reagan High School, Alexander entered college from where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Finance out of University of Texas at San Antonio. Hernandez worked as a mortgage loan officer as he was recovering from a MCL and meniscus injury. Mixed martial arts career. Early career. Hernandez  compiled an amateur MMA record of 3–0 before making his professional debut in the spring of 2012. He competed for various regional promotions such as Legacy Fighting Alliance and Resurrection Fighting Alliance and by 2018, he had amassed a 8–1 MMA record before signing with the UFC in early 2018. Ultimate Fighting Championship. Hernandez made his promotional debut as a short notice replacement filling in for Bobby Green against Beneil Dariush on March 3, 2018 at UFC 222. Hernandez won the fight via knockout in the fight's opening minute. He was awarded a $50,000 bonus for "Performance of  the Night". Hernandez next faced Olivier Aubin-Mercier on July 28, 2018 at UFC on Fox 30. Hernandez won the fight by pushing a high-pace, scoring takedowns, strikes and successful top game to take a unanimous decision. Hernandez was expected to face Francisco Trinaldo on January 26, 2019 at UFC 233. However, Hernandez was pulled from that fight in favor of a bout with former UFC Lightweight Championship challenger Donald Cerrone a week earlier at . He lost the fight via TKO in the second round. For their performance, both participants were awarded "Fight of the Night". Hernandez faced Francisco  Trinaldo on July 20, 2019 at UFC on ESPN 4, which took place in Hernandez's home state of Texas. He won the fight via unanimous decision. The fight was the subject of much debate, with 11 of 13 media outlets scoring the bout in favor of Trinaldo. Hernández was expected to face Islam Makhachev on April 18, 2020 at UFC 249. However, Russia restricted air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Makhachev was removed from the event and he was replaced by Omar Morales. However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that this event was  postponed and rescheduled to May 13, 2020 at facing Drew Dober instead. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round two. Hernández faced Chris Gruetzemacher on October 31, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 181. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. This win earned him "Performance Fight of the Night" award. Hernández faced Thiago Moisés on February 27, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 186. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Hernández was scheduled to face Leonardo Santos on October 2, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 193. However, Santos was forced to pull from the event , citing calf injury and he was replaced by Mike Breeden. At the weigh-ins, Mike Breeden weighed in at 158.5 pounds, two and a half pounds over the lightweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Breeden was fined 20% which went to Hernandez. Hernandez won the fight via knockout in round one. Hernández faced Renato Moicano Feb 12, 2022 at UFC 271. He lost the bout via rear-naked choke in the second round.