In a night filled with explosive action, Anthony Hernandez delivered the most impressive performance at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. The rising middleweight star overwhelmed Michel Pereira in the main event, showcasing his trademark smothering offense to secure a fifth-round stoppage victory.
Hernandez Weathers Early Storm, Takes Over Fight
The opening seconds saw Pereira land a front kick to Hernandez’s torso that briefly stunned “Fluffy.” However, Hernandez quickly regrouped and began implementing his suffocating game plan, giving the Brazilian little room to breathe, let alone mount any significant offense.
Despite finding himself trapped in a deep guillotine choke from Pereira in the second round, Hernandez remained composed. He methodically worked his way out of danger before establishing top position, where he unleashed a relentless barrage of submission attempts and ground strikes.
Dominant Display Leads to Late Stoppage
As the fight progressed, Pereira’s gas tank emptied rapidly under the constant pressure from Hernandez. By the third round, the visibly exhausted Brazilian could only muster enough energy to survive the onslaught, offering little in terms of offense as he sought moral victory by reaching the final bell.
But Hernandez refused to leave the outcome in the judges’ hands. In the final round, he ramped up his assault, landing a vicious elbow that opened a gash above Pereira’s eye. With blood pouring down his face and no escape from Hernandez’s smothering attack, referee Herb Dean mercifully called a halt to the contest at the 2:38 mark of round five.
Anthony put on a masterclass tonight. His pressure was absolutely relentless from start to finish. Pereira had no answer for the constant submissions and ground and pound.
– Veteran MMA journalist on press row
Record-Breaking Performance Vaults Hernandez Up Rankings
The dominant showing saw Hernandez rack up some gaudy stats rarely seen in UFC competition. Over the course of the fight, “Fluffy” amassed:
- 15+ minutes of control time
- 197 significant strikes landed
- UFC middleweight record 29 takedown attempts
With the victory, Hernandez extends his winning streak to six straight, while simultaneously snapping Pereira’s run of eight consecutive triumphs. The stellar performance is expected to vault the 13th ranked Hernandez into the middleweight division’s top 10.
What’s Next for Anthony Hernandez?
Following such an emphatic win over a surging contender like Pereira, many are wondering what will come next for Anthony Hernandez. Potential top 10 opponents for the smothering wrestler could include:
- Kelvin Gastelum: The former interim title challenger remains a dangerous test for anyone in the division.
- Jack Hermansson: The Swede’s well rounded game would provide an intriguing clash of styles with Hernandez.
- Derek Brunson: The wrestle-heavy veteran is no stranger to grueling grappling affairs.
Regardless of who the UFC matches him up against next, one thing is certain – Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez has emerged as a serious threat to the middleweight elite. With his relentless pressure and ever-evolving skill set, the 28-year-old’s ceiling appears limitless. The rest of the 185-pound division has officially been put on notice.
