Both fighters have engaged in heated verbal exchanges throughout fight week, intensifying the rivalry and adding extra emotional stakes. Now the focus shifts to the Octagon as we examine which contender holds stronger winning chances at UFC Houston.

Sean Strickland

Sean Strickland is one of the most controversial figures on the UFC roster, and his last press conference was a true example of that. The former middleweight champion returns after serving a six-month suspension for a physical altercation. 

In his previous appearance, he dropped a hard-fought title fight to Dricus Du Plessis via unanimous decision. Now, ‘Tarzan’ aims to secure an emphatic victory and move himself back into immediate championship contention within the division rankings.

Anthony Hernandez

Anthony Hernandez has quietly established himself as one of the most talented and dangerous middleweights on the current roster. He enters this contest riding an impressive eight-fight winning streak, most recently dominantly defeating Roman Dolidze.

Hernandez has openly expressed frustration toward Sean Strickland following the former champion’s recent controversial remarks during fight week buildup. Motivated by personal animosity and title aspirations, he hopes to punish Strickland inside the Octagon and earn a championship opportunity.

How to watch: Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez

To watch UFC Houston in the UK, prelims are expected to begin around 1:00 AM GMT, with the main card starting at approximately 4:00 AM GMT. UK fans can catch the entire event live on TNT Sports through its television channels and official streaming apps, with full replays available later for viewers unable to tune in overnight.

In the U.S, prelims for UFC Houston are scheduled to start at around 7:00 PM ET, followed by the main card at 10:00 PM ET. American viewers can stream the complete fight card live on Paramount+, ensuring uninterrupted access to all bouts throughout the evening.

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Tale of the Tape

Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez: Final Prediction

Sean Strickland usually fights behind a disciplined jab, steady forward pressure, and relentless volume. He controls range effectively, forces opponents backward, and relies on durability and cardio to gradually break their rhythm. Over five rounds, Strickland’s composure and experience in high-profile bouts often allow him to dictate pace and frustrate challengers.

On the other side, Anthony Hernandez thrives in chaos, blending suffocating grappling with increasingly confident striking exchanges. He pushes an exhausting tempo, chains takedown attempts together, and forces scrambles that drain opponents physically and mentally.

If Fluffy consistently disrupts Strickland’s rhythm with pressure and clinch work, the damage should accumulate late. By the fourth round, Hernandez’s relentless assault could overwhelm Strickland, leading to a decisive technical knockout finish.

Final Prediction: Anthony Hernandez via TKO in the fourth round.

READ MORE: Sean Strickland Promises Knockout Finish of Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston Showdown

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For Strickland, it is his first fight following his temporary suspension that happened last year in June following an altercation. According to Strickland, he utilised the time off to heal his previous injuries and get into 100 percent potential. 

Going into the bout, the former champion is looking shredded and is confident about his overall skill set for this matchup. In a recent interview, Tarzan talked about his prediction for the fight against Hernandez and how he sees it unfolding.

“The guy is on like an eight or six-fight winning streak. What better name could you have to beat?…I think I’m going to outgrapple him. I think we will grapple. I’m not the hardest guy to take down; I don’t care if I get taken down. I’ll outgrapple him and then I’ll TKO him in the fourth or fifth (round),” said Sean Strickland via UFC News. 

Sean Strickland is mostly known for his relentless forward pressure, often winning fights by grinding opponents toward unanimous decision victories. His last TKO finish came in 2023 against Abusupiyan Magomedov, highlighting his ability to overwhelm opponents with calculated striking barrages.

However, against Anthony Hernandez, he has clearly developed a personal rivalry that intensified quickly after his controversial post on Instagram. Hernandez, unfazed by Strickland’s edited ICE agent image, admitted he feels no anger, only excitement to torture him inside the Octagon.

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Anthony Hernandez is focused on getting the UFC gold

Anthony Hernandez earned his UFC contract after an impressive performance at Dana White’s Contender Series. He experienced an inconsistent start in the UFC, struggling with setbacks before eventually finding his rhythm and consistency.

Currently, Fluffy is riding an impressive eight-fight win streak, building serious momentum within the competitive middleweight division. His most recent victory came against Roman Dolidze, securing a submission finish that further strengthened his contender status. Ahead of the fight, the fighter openly discussed his ultimate goal within the UFC middleweight division landscape.

“I’m happy, but I’m not where I want to be, so I’m not satisfied. That’s usually how it’s been until I get the belt and even then I will probably still have that feeling because I want to clear out the division,” said Anthony Hernandez via UFC News. 

Anthony Hernandez recently spoke about Khamzat Chimaev’s title win over Dricus Du Plessis, sharing his honest assessment. He explained that Borz appears overly reliant on wrestling, which, in his view, makes performances predictable and boring. Hernandez added that he plans to change that by defeating the Russian and becoming the new champion. 

READ MORE: Israel Adesanya labels Joe Pyfer clash the “biggest fight” of his life for a different reason

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The post Sean Strickland Promises Knockout Finish of Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston Showdown first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

The UFC Fight Card in the U.S. features Brendan Allen vs. Anthony Hernandez. It’s the co-main event, the 11th fight out of 12. They will fight in the middleweight division (185 lbs / 83.9 kg). Here’s what to know and who might have the edge.

Fighters Profiles and Strength

BRENDAN ALLEN

Brendan Allen is ranked 10th in the middleweight division and 65th in the pound-for-pound rankings. He fights out of Kill Cliff FC and is currently on a losing streak, with his most recent defeat coming against Nassourdine Imavov by unanimous decision. His professional record stands at 24 wins and 6 losses.

Of his victories, 14 were by submission, 5 by knockout, and 5 by decision. He competed in the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) from 2017 to 2019, fighting 7 times, winning 5, and losing 2. In 2014, he won the vacant FFI Welterweight Championship by submitting Marcel Stamps in the second round. He then moved up a weight class and won the FFI Strawweight Championship against Matt Elkins via rear-naked choke in round 3.

In 2015, he captured the vacant MFL Middleweight Championship by defeating Benjamin Bennett via unanimous decision. His first professional title came in December 2016 when he won the vacant VF Middleweight Championship against Sidney Wheeler via Americana submission in the second round. In 2018, he won the vacant LFA Middleweight Championship against Tim Hiley and defended it against Moses Murrietta.

However, he suffered key losses to Eryk Anders and Anthony Hernandez in LFA title fights. Since joining the UFC in 2019, he has fought 15 times, winning 12 and losing 3. He has earned Performance of the Night bonuses for victories over Paul Craig, André Muniz, and Krzysztof Jotko.

ANTHONY HERNANDEZ II

Anthony Hernandez, also known as “Fluffy,” has a professional record of 13 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no-contest. He has secured 8 wins by submission, 3 by knockout, and 2 by decision. Currently, he is on a 6-fight winning streak. He started his professional career in 2014 with a win over Trey Williams.

Before joining the UFC in 2019, he competed in the Legacy Fighting Alliance and Dana White’s Contender Series. His recent six victories were against Michel Pereira (TKO via ground and pound), Roman Kopylov (rear-naked choke submission), Edmen Shahbazyan (TKO via ground and pound), Marc-André Barriault (arm-triangle choke submission), Josh Fremd (unanimous decision), and Rodolfo Vieira (arm-in guillotine choke submission).

His UFC losses came against Kevin Holland (TKO via knee to the body and ground and pound) and Markus Perez (anaconda choke submission). His no-contest fight was against Jordan Wright in 2018 due to a failed drug test for marijuana. The original result was a knockout win for Hernandez in less than a minute. He is currently ranked 9th in the middleweight division and 32nd on the all-time MMA grappling rankings.

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What time is the fight?

The fight kicks off live at 6:00 pm. ET this Saturday.

Location: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington, United States

How can I Watch It?

If you’re interested, you can watch it on ESPN 2 and TNT SPORTS  Pay-per-view.

Statistical Matchup

Final Prediction

Brendan Allen has plenty of UFC experience. He has fought 15 times and won 12. That makes him a strong contender in this fight. He is also younger and has been in many tough battles. Anthony Hernandez has been impressive in the UFC. After losing twice, he found his rhythm. Now, he is on a 6-fight winning streak. Allen may be the more skilled fighter, but Hernandez is in better form right now.

ANTHONY HERNANDEZ TO WIN  -280 ODDS

ANTHONY HERNANDEZ TO WIN BY A DECISION

OVER 2.5 ROUNDS

READ MORE: Michael Chandler Predicts Electric Fight Against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314

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The post Brendan Allen vs Anthony Hernandez: Predictions, Analysis, and Breakdown first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.