Alexander Hernandez touts his 'big balls' after UFC 319 knockout of Chase Hooper

USA Today

10 hours ago

CHICAGO – From a rookie with "big balls" to a seasoned veteran, Alexander Hernandez has grown up in front of the UFC audience.
At UFC 319, Hernandez (17-8 MMA, 9-7 UFC) finished Chase Hooper in the closing seconds of the opening round with a crushing right hand. It was his first finish in the UFC since October 2021.
"The Great Ape" has been through a bumpy road throughout his UFC run. He mostly traded wins and losses in the early stages, but now he has become more consistent as a fighter, and is now on the first three-fight winning streak of his tenure.
"I've had a f*ck-load of setbacks – Mr. Setback himself," Hernandez said. "I throw it back to the boys, I really do. I feel like I've really matured into a good place myself mentally and physically. Maybe hitting like a nice – I hate saying physical prime because then it sounds like you're only going down. So, I'm just gonna maintain a decade of this physical prime I feel like I'm in, but I'm in a really good mental state too right now.
"I had big balls and an average-sized d*ck when I first came in here, just super hubris, you know? Now, I feel like I've leveled out and I've got a good level head on my shoulders and I know how to be in the game."
During his in-cage post-fight interview, Hernandez called for an opportunity to fight on the upcoming Noche UFC event, which takes place in his hometown of San Antonio. He didn't have a name in mind, and he really doesn't care if he actually gets a fight, as long as he's paid to be a part of the Mexican Independence party.
"I expect to at least show up," Hernandez said. "The coolest thing is to show out and get a fat finish in your city. The next thing is just being able to pull up, get sh*tfaced, and get paid to hang out with the team in the city, you know? Just represent and just be a paid extra. So, either way, I'm cool. Just let me show up and get some money in San Antonio and say what's up to everybody."