The biggest MMA promotion makes its return to Houston for the first time since February 2022, when Israel Adesanya successfully defended his 185-pound title in a rematch against Robert Whittaker at UFC 271.
Another middleweight contest headlines a Texas event, but this time it’s a fight night as former champion Sean Strickland takes on rising contender Anthony Hernandez.
Both men feature in the top five of the division’s rankings and could have a strong possibility of earning the next title shot, depending on the aftermath of their scheduled five-round war.
Here is what you need to know about the main event, as well as five other bouts that will catch your eye at UFC Houston.
Strickland hoping to bounce back from title defeat
The 34-year-old has now managed to get his opportunity to return to the win column after being suspended for 6 months for a physical altercation at a regional MMA event in June.
Strickland has not competed for over a year since his championship rematch defeat to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312, which he lost convincingly by unanimous decision.
Five of the Californian’s seven losses in MMA have instantly been redeemed, as the only time he suffered back-to-back losses was in 2022.
The former UFC Champion was on the receiving end of a first-round knockout against Alex Pereira, before a tight split decision defeat to Jared Cannonier.
The Xtreme Couture mixed martial artist is known for going the distance in his battles and likes to strike with his opponents.
It’s fair to say Strickland is a veteran of the UFC, fighting with the organisation since March 2014, when he started off as a welterweight before changing to middleweight in 2020.
With 29 victories on his record, the American has salvaged 15 finishes, including 11 KO/TKO wins and 4 submissions.
The #3 contender has only been stopped twice, both by KO/TKO, as he’s never been troubled on the ground, although his upcoming foe could make that change.
Hernandez eyeing title shot after impressive run
‘Fluffy’ has been flying under the radar in the 185-pound division until last year, when he picked up big wins over Brendan Allen and Roman Dolidze.
Currently riding the biggest active streak in the decision, Hernandez has earned eight successive victories with six of those bouts ending with a stoppage.
The rise of the Dunnigan-born fighter has been incredible to watch, especially when he stopped eye-catching prospects Roman Kopylov by submission and Michel Pereira by TKO.
With 32-year-old being more in recent times than Strickland, it could potentially give him the advantage in a heavily anticipated middleweight fight.
Hernandez made his MMA debut after his opponent began his career in the UFC, claiming multiple first-round finishes before earning a contract through Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
The BJJ brown belt has gone to the judges’ scorecards three times from 15 victories in his career, producing three KO/TKO wins and nine submissions.
Just like Strickland, the #4 contender has been stopped only twice in his MMA career, losing once by submission on his UFC debut and once by knockout against Kevin Holland two bouts later.
A lot of the MMA community believes Hernandez should be next in line for the middleweight championship against Khamzat Chimaev, as he has the best weapons to take on the undefeated mixed martial artist. A win at the Toyota Centre will give him that chance.
Five other battles you shouldn’t miss
Geoff Neal vs Uros Medic
The co-main event is bound to have a fun striking battle as Neal aims to maintain his #12 welterweight ranking against rising Serbian Medic.
‘Handz of Steel’ is looking to bounce back from his previous fight when he suffered a spinning elbow knockout defeat to Carlos Prates in the first round at UFC 319.
‘The Doctor’ has earned back-to-back first-round knockouts as he tries to increase his win streak, not to forget that the 32-year-old has never gone to a decision in his MMA career.
It’s a 170-pound bout that will only end in one way, and that’s by knockout, but who will earn their highlight reel at the Toyota Center?
Dan Ige vs Melquizael Costa
Another situation where a contender has to defend his position against an unranked opponent to remain in the top 15.
Ige is looking to redeem himself and maintain his #14 featherweight ranking after losing by unanimous decision to Patricio Pitbull at UFC 318.
Costa has been a fast-rising 145-pound prospect who increased his win streak to five after a wicked first-round head kick knockout against Morgan Charriere at UFC Vegas 112.
While both men are comfortable striking on the feet, don’t be surprised if it goes to the ground as they share 13 submission wins between them.
Serghei Spivac vs Ante Delija
A clash of the heavyweights features on the main card of UFC Houston, which is likely to be billed as a wrestler vs striker matchup.
Spivac is on a two-fight losing streak, suffering both defeats last year against Jailton Almeida by TKO at UFC 311 and Waldo Cortes-Acosta by unanimous decision at UFC 316.
Delija makes his third UFC appearance after making his debut last year, securing a first-round knockout win against Marcin Tybura, followed by a first-round knockout loss to Cortes-Acosta.
The two European mixed martial artists are in the top 10 of the heavyweight rankings and aim to make a statement win for a chance to move closer to the top five.
Chidi Njokuani vs Carlos Leal
A battle for redemption in the welterweight division as both fighters are desperate to bounce back from recent defeat.
Njokuani was on three successive wins until he came face-to-face with Jake Matthews at UFC Nashville, losing by first-round submission.
Leal shockingly lost his last bout, as he was heavily favoured to win, and was knocked out in just 42 seconds by Muslim Salikhov at UFC Abu Dhabi.
There’s a reason this three-round fight has been placed as the featured prelim: the high level of entertainment it could deliver.
Ramiz Brahimaj vs Punahele Soriano
Another 170-pound contest, which will give a lot of interest to the MMA community, as both mixed martial artists hold a three-fight win streak.
Brahimaj continued to keep his 100% finish rate when he stopped Austin Vanderford by second-round submission at UFC 320.
Soriano fought in the same event to extend his triumphant streak, defeating Nikolay Veretennikov by unanimous decision.
It’s submission artist vs knockout artist as two Americans battle to become more recognised and worthy within the organisation.
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