Anthony Hernandez wants title shot after UFC on ESPN 72 submission win over Roman Dolidze
LAS VEGAS – Anthony Hernandez wants his shot at the UFC middleweight title.
Hernandez (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) made sure to make his intentions clear following his latest win at UFC on ESPN 72 Saturday at the UFC Apex. Hernandez dominated Roman Dolidze (15-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) for more than 15 minutes before submitting him in the fourth round in the main event. In a post-fight interview in the cage, he shot his shot.
"Man, I want a title shot," Hernandez said. "What the f*ck do I have to do?"
Speaking with the media backstage, Hernandez doubled down on his intention to be next for the title shot. However, with several top contenders surging at 185 pounds, Hernandez was asked if he had a name in mind should he not get the winner of next week's UFC 319 title bout between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.
"When I say I don't give a f*ck who I fight, I'm serious about that sh*t," Hernandez said. "I don't give a f*ck who I fight. I think it would be cool if there was a contender BMF belt or something like that, but I want the f*cking title. That's the only reason I do this sh*t for: To get that money and change my family's life."
Hernandez is now on an eight-fight winning streak and hasn't lost a fight since 2020. The eight-fight run includes six finishes and four $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses.
Despite the impressive streak, "Fluffy" said he disappointed fans in his previous bout with Brendan Allen, but thinks he redeemed himself with the win over Dolidze.
"The f*cking Brendan Allen fight, I came in injured and f*cking sick, and I had a hard weight cut," Hernandez said. "Everything went wrong in that fight and I still went out there and beat him. I wasn't happy with my performance. I still won, yeah, but that wasn't me. I wanted to come out tonight and show people I can do everything. I can walk people down. I can shut people down. I don't care how dangerous you say you are: I'm going to walk you down and beat the f*ck out of you. I don't care who you are."
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Du Plessis is one of five fighters in UFC history to force a title change by split decision. Alexandre Pantoja, Robbie Lawler, Henry Cejudo and Carla Esparza also accomplished the feat. Du Plessis' three victories in UFC middleweight championship fights are tied for fourth-most in divisional history behind Anderson Silva (11), Israel Adesanya (eight) and Chris Weidman (four). Du Plessis' nine-fight UFC winning streak at middleweight is the longest active streak in the division. Du Plessis' nine-fight UFC winning streak at middleweight is tied with Weidman for the third-longest streak in divisional history behind Silva (13) and Adesanya (12). Du Plessis' nine-fight winning streak in UFC competition is tied with Movsar Evloev for the third-longest streak among active fighters on the roster behind Islam Makhachev (15) and Merab Dvalishvili (13). Du Plessis has earned 20 of his 23 career victories by stoppage. He's finished eight of those wins in Round 1. Khamzat Chimaev Chimaev can become the 15th fighter in UFC history to win an undisputed championship with an undefeated record. Chimaev 4-0 in UFC middleweight competition. Chimaev's four-fight UFC winning streak at middleweight is tied for the fourth-longest active streak in the division behind Du Plessis (nine), Anthony Hernandez (eight) and Caio Borralho (seven). Chimaev has earned 12 of his 14 career victories by stoppage. That includes six of his eight UFC wins. Chimaev absorbed just one significant strike in his opening four UFC appearances, the least of any fighter in company history. Chimaev's four UFC performances without absorbing a single significant strike are most in company history. Chimaev has landed at least one takedown in seven of his eight UFC appearances. Chimaev's two UFC victories in a 10-day span in July 2020 marks the fastest stretch in company history. 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This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 319 pre-event facts: Khamzat Chimaev can join rare group of champs
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Arguably the most anticipated and deepest fight card of 2025 is nearly here with UFC 319 set to take place Saturday at United Center in Chicago. The main card is available for purchase on ESPN+ pay-per-view with prelims on ESPN and ESPN+. With an undercard filled by former UFC champions, title challengers, anticipated debuts, two "The Ultimate Fighter' finals and more, the spotlight is firmly on the headlining act. Middleweight Dricus Du Plessis (23-2 MMA, 9-0 UFC) will attempt to make a third defense of his belt when tests the greatness of undefeated sensation Khamzat Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), who challenges for UFC gold for the first time. It's a can't miss card, and for more on the numbers on the loaded lineup from "The Windy City," check below for MMA Junkie's pre-event facts for UFC 319. Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev Dricus Du Plessis Du Plessis is one of 14 undisputed middleweight champions in UFC history. Du Plessis is the only South African champion in UFC history. 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Chimaev's three UFC victories in a 66-day span from July 2020-September 2020 mark the fastest stretch in company history. Chimaev has been awarded a fight-night bonus in six of his eight UFC appearances. Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico Lerone Murphy's (16-0-1 MMA, 8-0-1 UFC) nine-fight UFC unbeaten streak at featherweight is the longest active streak in the division. Murphy's eight-fight UFC winning streak at featherweight is tied with Movsar Evloev for the longest active streak in the division. Murphy completes 54.2 percent of his takedown attempts in UFC featherweight competition, the second-highest rate among active fighters in the weight class behind Ricardo Ramos (55.2 percent). Aaron Pico (13-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) makes his octagon debut after a competing for his entire career under the Bellator and PFL banners. Pico returns to competition for the first time since Feb. 24, 2024. The 539-day layoff is the longest of his more than eight-year career. 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Barboza's seven knockout victories in UFC lightweight competition are tied with Melvin Guillard for third-most in divisional history behind Drew Dober (nine) and Dustin Poirier (nine). Barboza is the only fighter in UFC history with knockout finishes stemming from a head kick, body punch, body kick, leg kicks, and flying knee. Barboza has earned six knockouts in UFC competition stemming from a knee or kick, the second-most in company history behind Cerrone (seven). Barboza is one of two fighters in UFC history to earn multiple leg kick TKO victories. Jonathan Martinez also accomplished the feat. Barboza has been awarded 10 Fight of the Night bonuses, tied with Dustin Poirier for most in company history. Barboza is one of 10 fighters in UFC history to be awarded with 13 or more career fight night bonuses. Drakkar Klose (15-3-1 MMA, 9-3 UFC) is one of 15 fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a slam. He accomplished the feat at UFC on ESPN 52. Nursulton Ruziboev vs. Bryce Battle Bryan Battle (12-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) returns to the middleweight division after going 5-1 with one no contest at welterweight. He's 2-0 in the octagon when competing at 185 pounds. Karine Silva vs. Dione Barbosa Karine Silva (18-5 MMA, 4-1 UFC) has earned 17 of her 18 career victories by stoppage. She's finished 13 of those wins in Round 1. Silva's three submission victories in UFC women's flyweight competition are tied for second-most in divisional history behind Robertson (six). Silva is the only female in UFC history to earn three consecutive victories by first-round submission. Silva is one of three females in UFC history to earn a submission victory by D'Arce choke. She accomplished the feat at UFC Fight Night 207. Tatiana Suarez and Jasmine Jasudavicius also won with the technique. UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on X @MJCflipdascript.
