Sean Strickland made his intentions clear the moment the UFC Houston main event ended, immediately shifting the middleweight title conversation.
Sean Strickland stopped Anthony Hernandez in the third round on Saturday night and then called for a title fight against reigning champion Khamzat Chimaev.
The former middleweight champion used his post-fight interview to position himself as the next challenger.
Strickland delivers statement finish in Houston
Sean Strickland earned a third-round TKO over Hernandez at UFC Houston, with the referee stopping the contest at 2:33 after a knee up the middle was followed by a sustained barrage of punches.
The result ended Hernandez’s eight-fight winning streak and strengthened Strickland’s case in the 185-pound division.
The former champion, who now holds a 29-7 professional record, faced a surging contender in Hernandez, who entered the bout at 15-2 with six finishes during his run.
“His boxing [surprised me], a tough m———- dude. You have some solid boxing, no one ever told me. No part of you was slowing down, but you were getting a little bit sloppy. He’s a f—— savage. That was a f—— war. I respect the hell out of you.”
Khamzat Chimaev now firmly in Strickland’s sights
After securing the stoppage, Strickland turned his attention to Chimaev, who is undefeated at 15-0 and won the middleweight title by defeating Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 in August 2025.
The championship picture had appeared to be forming, but Strickland’s performance placed him back into immediate contention.
Strickland has never been submitted and has conceded only three knockdowns in 23 UFC appearances, reinforcing his reputation for durability at the highest level.
“Chimaev probably gets off the bench. I’d like to piece that little Chechnyan w—-. You never know with him. You never know with that guy, but that’s what I want.”
The division now waits to see whether the champion responds and whether the promotion formalizes the matchup.
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