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HOUSTON, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 21: Sean Strickland reacts after a TKO victory against Anthony Hernandez in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Toyota Center on February 21, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Sean Strickland may have punched is ticket to UFC’s White House card last night (Sat., Feb. 21, 2026) at UFC Houston LIVE on Paramount+ from inside Toyota Center in Houston, Tex., after the former UFC middleweight champion stunned Anthony Hernandez with a showstopping third-round TKO (punches).
It’s been an interesting week for Strickland, who entered Saturday’s main event a disrespected betting underdog. The outspoken middleweight landed in some hot water mid-week for his comments during UFC Houston’s media day before speaking out about UFC fighter pay later in the week. Compound all of that with a disturbing weight cut and the pressure of headlining a UFC card and it’s quite the pressure-cooker for Strickland.
Luckily for the former UFC champion, everything played out the way he wanted it to. Strickland was able to defend all of Hernandez’s early takedown attempts, which were always going to be “Fluffy’s” biggest key to victory. That allowed Strickland the chance to land his lead jab at will while moving his feet and defending nicely. Hernandez was chasing, but he really wasn’t able to find his range at all.
Strickland’s pressure led to a nasty knee inside that badly hurt Hernandez in the third round. Hernandez tried to hide it, but Strickland sensed the time to strike. Strickland unloaded heavy punches and uppercuts along the cage as “Fluffy” staggered and eventually fell to the canvas to cover up. Strickland rained down more offense before the referee finally stepped in.
Check out the video highlights below and let us know if this earned Strickland a trip to UFC’s White House card or even a UFC middleweight title shot!
For complete UFC Houston results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.
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