“He was the better man”- Anthony Hernandez reacts after Sean Strickland stoppage loss at UFC Houston

Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez suffered a major setback in the UFC Houston main event on Saturday night, Feb. 21, 2026. The rising middleweight contender was stopped in the third round by former champion Sean Strickland inside the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

The defeat ended one of the most impressive winning streaks in the division and slowed his rapid push toward a title opportunity. Despite the loss, Hernandez quickly addressed fans and showed respect to his opponent.Soon after the fight, Hernandez posted a message on social media thanking supporters and congratulating Strickland. He acknowledged that his opponent performed better on the night and promised improvement moving forward.

The defeat snapped his eight-fight winning streak and created uncertainty about his immediate title hopes. However, Hernandez still remains among the top middleweight fighters and continues to be considered a dangerous contender in the 185-pound division.

Anthony Hernandez’ streak ends but contender status remains

Anthony Hernandez entered the bout riding huge momentum. Over his previous eight fights, he recorded six finishes and victories against notable opponents such as Roman Dolidze, Roman Kopylov, Michel Pereira and Brendan Allen.

During that run, many observers began to see him as a serious outsider contender for the UFC middleweight championship.The loss to Strickland changes his short-term path. The fight was viewed as a possible title eliminator, meaning a win could have brought him very close to a championship opportunity. Instead, the stoppage defeat likely pushes him back in the rankings race. Rebuilding his position may require several strong victories against high-level opponents.Still, Hernandez remains highly regarded because of his aggressive style and fan-friendly approach. He continues to sit among the division’s top fighters and could quickly return to contention with impressive performances. A future bout against the winner of a potential Israel Adesanya versus Joe Pyfer matchup has already been suggested as a high-risk, high-reward opportunity.In his statement, Hernandez expressed gratitude to fans in Houston for their support and energy during the event.

He also praised Strickland, acknowledging that the former champion was the superior fighter that night and deserved respect. He added that he plans to come back stronger and improve following the defeat.Although the loss damaged his title push, Hernandez’s career momentum is not gone. The middleweight division remains competitive, and a couple of decisive wins could quickly place him back into the championship conversation. For now, Hernandez appears focused on learning from the result and preparing for his next appearance inside the Octagon.