Tag: Alexander Hernandez

Alexander Hernandez unsure of Islam Makhachev’s UFC 249 status: ‘We’re kind of in the dark’

Alexander Hernandez recognizes the likelihood he won’t be fighting Islam Makhachev at UFC 249.

[autotag]Alexander Hernandez[/autotag] recognizes there’s a high likelihood he won’t fight [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] at UFC 249.

The two lightweight contenders are currently booked for the UFC’s pay-per-view event April 18. However, Makhachev (17-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) is currently in Russia. Like his training partner, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev will likely be unable to leave the country due to coronavirus-related travel restrictions.

This puts him in an unusual position. According to Hernandez (11-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC), there haven’t been many updates from the promotion regarding the event. He’s preparing for a fight, which doesn’t have a location – and likely doesn’t have an opponent for him to fight.

“We’re all in the dark,” Hernandez told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “It’s just like everything else. When we hear the official word, we all hear the official word. (Expletive), half the time I wait for a tag on Instagram to know something is locked in. Obviously with Khabib being stuck in Russia, I imagine Islam is on the same plane out there.

“The circumstances of my opponent are a little hazy at this point. Everything has been hazy. They are keeping all of the information close to their chest because I’m certain they don’t want to be making any more false announcements. It’s just been kind of a fog. I’ll just keep following this UFC yellow brick road through all the scary (expletive) on the sides. I just hope there’s an arena and a pot of gold at the end. We’re kind of in the dark.”

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Despite the disarray the COVID-19 pandemic has caused, Herandez thinks he’s in the best mental state of his entire UFC tenure. Hernandez said the obstacles in his training camp have caused him to make adjustments, but the process is still on track.

“Food resources were getting difficult,” Hernandez said. “The produce isle was still open, but just getting in and out of there was an (expletive). The gym hours being what they were. The city got shut down a little over a week ago. Everything was closing in. It just looked a little bleak. I was like, ‘Man, this (expletive) does suck.’ We turned that (expletive) around real quick.

“I’ve got a great team of people. … We boarded up the windows. I’ve got butcher tape all over my walls so it looks like we’ve got a meth lab cooking in the back. We’ve just been going in there, running operations all the same.”

If Makhachev is indeed unable to make it to UFC 249, Hernandez hopes the promotion gives him Diego Ferreira or Drew Dober, who are scheduled to square off May 2 at UFC on ESPN+ 32.

“I’ve stayed focused on Islam, but I was perusing the matches,” Hernandez said. “I saw (Diego) Ferreira and (Drew) Dober were matched up in May. I imagine both of those guys have been training and might be prepared to step up. I’m also thinking about them.”

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In the end, though, Hernandez said it could be Makhachev, Ferreira, or Dober. They’re all the same to him.

“It’s always me vs. me featuring whoever,” Hernandez said. “I don’t give a damn who they put across from me in two-and-a-half weeks. I’ve overcome myself.”

Check out MMA Junkie’s full UFC 249 pre-fight interview with Alexander Hernandez in the video above.

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Alexander Hernandez tells MMA Junkie’s Nolan King he is ready to fight now

Alexander Hernandez is training full steam ahead in the hopes that he will be fighting soon.

Alexander Hernandez is training full steam ahead in the hopes that he will be fighting soon.

Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Kevin Lee after UFC on ESPN+ 28 loss?

See whom Kevin Lee should fight next after his loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC on ESPN+ 28 in Brasilia, Brazil.

[autotag]Kevin Lee[/autotag] lost a UFC main event for the fourth time in six tries Saturday when he succumbed to a submission against Charles Oliveira in the UFC on ESPN+ 28 headliner.

Lee (18-6 MMA, 11-6 UFC) put up a strong effort for more than two rounds in the lightweight headliner at Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia, Brazil, but he slipped up in the third when he positioned his head poorly on a takedown attempt and allowed Oliveira (29-8 MMA, 17-8 UFC) to lock in a fight-ending guillotine choke.

The loss dropped “The Motown Phenom” to 1-1 since he returned to 155 pounds this past November, and the setback was a major blow given he hoped to make big moves in the weight class this year.

What does the loss mean for Lee? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on his future, and why a clash with the loser of the UFC 249 bout between [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) and [autotag]Alexander Hernandez[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) would be a good fit for his next opponent.

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Alexander Hernandez vs. Islam Makhachev in works for UFC 249 in Brooklyn

A lightweight clash between Alexander Hernandez and Islam Makhachev is the latest addition to UFC 249.

The UFC 249 lineup keeps on growing.

A key lightweight battle is in the works for the card, as UFC-ranked lightweights [autotag]Alexander Hernandez[/autotag] and [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] have verbally agreed to compete at the event.

Two people with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie of the booking, but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Bout agreements have yet to be finalized.

UFC 249 takes place April 18 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.

A polarizing figure, Hernandez (11-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) has had more ups than downs in the UFC. After bursting onto the scene with a brutal 42-second knockout of Beneil Dariush in March 2018, Hernandez then won his sophomore outing against Olivier Aubin-Mercier.

The back-to-back victories set him up for a fight with Donald Cerrone in January 2019. Garnering much attention due his fight-week trash talk, Hernandez was TKO’d by Cerrone in Round 2. In his most recent outing in July 2019, Hernandez defeated Francisco Trinaldo by unanimous decision.

As for Makhachev (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC), the Russian lightweight will share a card with training partner and UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Undefeated since early 2016, Makhachev has dominated almost every foe put in his path.

In his most recent outing at UFC 242 in September, Makhachev defeated highly-touted grappler Davi Ramos by three-round unanimous decision. Makhachev has been looking to compete since the victory, but according to his coach Javier Mendez, there weren’t many willing opponents. Now, Makhachev has finally found one.

The latest UFC 249 card now includes:

  • Champ Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson – for lightweight title
  • Uriah Hall vs. Ronaldo Souza
  • Jessica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas
  • Ben Rothwell vs. Gian Villante
  • Calvin Kattar vs. Jeremy Stephens
  • Ottman Azaitar vs. Khama Worthy
  • Sijara Eubanks vs. Sarah Moras
  • Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Ciryl Gane
  • Makhmud Muradov vs. Karl Roberson
  • Lyman Good vs. Belal Muhammad
  • Hunter Azure vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
  • Alexander Hernandez vs. Islam Makhachev

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Callout Collection: Who UFC Auckland winners want next – and how likely they’ll get them

Dan Hooker, Brad Riddell and Angela Hill were among those with specific names in mind for their next fight after UFC on ESPN+ 26 in Auckland.

Earning wins in the UFC is certainly no easy task, but what comes next is often even more important: the post-fight callout.

So after Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 26 event in Auckland, New Zealand, who took advantage of their time on the mic? See below for this week’s Callout Collection – and just how realistic each one is.

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First up, let’s take a look at the night’s prelim winners.

Angela Hill

Wants to fight: Karolina Kowalkiewicz

The callout: “I feel like everyone is booked right now, but I’d love to fight Karolina if she wins today. Even if she doesn’t, I’d like that fight. It would be a great matchup. That’s always been a fight I’ve wanted. I’m willing to fight anyone, but Karolina’s at the top of the list because our schedules line up.”

The reality: [autotag]Karolina Kowalkiewicz[/autotag] didn’t win her fight in Auckland, and that could play heavily into any possibility of a matchup with [autotag]Angela Hill[/autotag] being booked. The Pole has now lost four in a row, and that’s the sort of form that can often lead to a parting of ways. But Kowalkiewicz (12-6 MMA, 5-6 UFC) remains a popular fighter, and a matchup with Hill (12-7 MMA, 7-7 UFC) may still be considered worthwhile, especially on a European card, later in the year. Stylistically, it would certainly produce an exciting fight, and with Kowalkiewicz likely fighting in the last chance saloon, it would be a fight with the highest of stakes.

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Next up, let’s check out the main card.

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Challenge accepted: Diego Ferreira eager to get his hands on Alexander Hernandez

Alexander Hernandez has named a few opponents he’d like to face next and one of them, Diego Ferreira, has answered the call.

[autotag]Alexander Hernandez[/autotag] has named a few opponents he’d like to face next, and one of them has answered the call.

Surging lightweight [autotag]Diego Ferreira[/autotag] has responded to Hernandez’s callout, revealing that he in fact, has been calling him out for years.

“I been calling out this guy the last 3 yeas and now he want to call me out. ok man!@thegreat155 let’s go, I really want get my hands on you, make this happen #ufcsanantonio #rgvfighters #stoptalking #ufc”

Both Texas-based 155-pounders represent a new wave of talent in the division. Ferreira (16-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) has won his last six in a row, and in his last outing became the first man to officially submit former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, a massive feather in his cap.

Hernandez (11-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) bounced back from his first UFC loss, an infamous result against Donald Cerrone, with a unanimous decision win over Francisco Trinaldo at this past July’s UFC on ESPN 4. Winner of nine of his last 10, Hernandez is ready to return from his shoulder injury and is targeting an April date.

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UFC’s Alex Hernandez aims high as he seeks to be active in 2020

Alex Hernandez has his sights set on taking his UFC career to the next level.

HOUSTON – [autotag]Alexander Hernandez[/autotag] is ready to return, and he’s mapped out a plan that gets him to the top.

Ever since getting back to the win column with a win over Francisco Trinaldo last July, Hernandez (11-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) has been sidelined with a shoulder injury. But now at 100 percent, he’s looking for an active 2020.

“I want three fights,” Hernandez told reporters, including MMA Junkie, on Thursday. “I mean, time is (expletive) ticking. I want to get a fight by March, April, another one in summer then one by the end of the year. Three fights, put me on that title shot, 2021.”

Hernandez stormed onto the UFC scene with an upset knockout win over Beneil Dariush in March 2018. He followed that with a win over another streaking lightweight at the time, Olivier Aubin-Mercier, but saw his momentum take a major hit with a TKO loss to Donald Cerrone in January 2019.

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After bouncing back with a win over Trinaldo, Hernandez has his sights set on a top-ranked 155 pounder.

“So I’m looking at (Gregor) Gillespie, (Diego) Ferreira, Islam (Makhachev), Al Iaquinta, who I hear is off the grid,” Hernandez said. “I’m naming everybody who’s not booked in the top 10.

“I’ve been shooting for Al for a while. I don’t know if I heard anything back. I called out (Anthony) Pettis before that last fight. Now Ferreira won, so I’m looking at … I’d like to fight Ferreira.”

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Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Donald Cerrone and UFC 246’s other losing fighters?

See who Donald Cerrone should fight next after his loss to Conor McGregor at UFC 246.

(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Conor McGregor and UFC 246’s winning fighters?)

After every event, fans wonder whom the losing fighters will be matched up with next.

With another night of UFC action in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look forward, put on a pair of Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard’s shoes, and play UFC matchmaker for UFC 246’s most notable fighters.

Those fighters include [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag] (36-14 MMA, 23-11 UFC), who suffered a first-round TKO loss to Conor McGregor (22-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC) in the welterweight headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, as well as [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] (22-10 MMA, 9-9 UFC) and [autotag]Maycee Barber[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC).

* * * *

Maycee Barber

Antonina Shevchenko

Should fight: [autotag]Antonina Shevchenko[/autotag]
Why they should fight: The hype of Barber took a critical hit when, as a massive favorite, she faltered against Roxanne Modafferi and suffered a unanimous decision loss.

Fortunately for Barber, this fight will only serve as a learning experience. She battled through the adversity of a cut and a knee injury but still managed to go the distance. At 21, she can only grow from this moment, but the outcome certainly pushes back her timeline of wanting to be the youngest champion in UFC history.

As far as her next move, almost any fight would be appropriate for Barber in the women’s flyweight division. It remains to be seen how long her injuries will keep her out, but when she’s ready, a matchup with Shevchenko (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), who experienced a similarly disappointing outcome against Modafferi not long ago, would be a good fit.

Anthony Pettis

Alexander Hernandez

Should fight: [autotag]Alexander Hernandez[/autotag]
Why they should fight: For the first time in years, Pettis is sitting on a two-fight losing skid. His UFC record is even at 9-9, and now there’s questions about what the future holds for “Showtime.”

Pettis still has a number of fights left on his UFC contract, so anyone clamoring for him to go elsewhere is being premature. It’s hard to imagine he’s in any position to pick fights, though, so he may have to take what the UFC gives him.

That could mean having to take a fight against another upstart lightweight contender like Ferreira, and Hernandez (11-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) is just that. “The Great” faltered the first time he had a marquee fight against Donald Cerrone in January 2019, but he’s matured and picked up a win since then. Perhaps he gets a different result against Pettis, who would need to get a victory to prove he still has something left in the tank.

Donald Cerrone

Stephen Thompson

Should fight: [autotag]Stephen Thompson[/autotag]
Why they should fight: Watch the video above to see why Cerrone should fight Thompson (15-4-1 MMA, 10-4-1 UFC) next.

UFC 246 free fight: Donald Cerrone humbles Alex Hernandez at UFC Brooklyn

Relive Donald Cerrone’s spectacular performance as he finished rising contender Alexander Hernandez at UFC on ESPN+ 1 in Brooklyn, N.Y.

[autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag] might be a record-breaking great of the UFC octagon, but the UFC stalwart typically doesn’t engage in trash-talking his opponents before fights.

So, when No. 11-ranked lightweight contender [autotag]Alexander Hernandez[/autotag] decided to make some noise and fire a salvo of verbal jabs in “Cowboy’s” direction ahead of their bout at UFC on ESPN+ 1 in Brooklyn, N.Y., in January 2019, it raised more than a few eyebrows.

But rather than opting to respond in kind, Cerrone laughed off the trash talk, bided his time, then delivered retribution in the old-fashioned way when the pair met inside the octagon on fight night.

A seemingly laser-focused Cerrone produced a brilliant performance, as he weathered some strong early pressure from Hernandez before finishing his man with a superb display of striking at Barclays Center.

Hernandez came out aggressively from the start and caught Cerrone with a solid uppercut in the early exchanges. But a head kick, then a takedown, from Cerrone served notice of what was to come later in the contest from “Cowboy.”

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Hernandez kept pushing forward, looking to overwhelm Cerrone with his early work-rate, but the octagon veteran stayed composed and, after adjusting to the pace, found his mark with some nasty close-range punches and elbows. Cerrone then turned up the heat in the final minute of the round, connecting with more elbows and punches, and connecting with a beautifully-timed knee when Hernandez looked to change levels in search of a takedown.

And with the crowd on its feet hailing a superb opening five minutes, Hernandez headed back to the corner busted up and bleeding, while Cerrone calmly strolled back to his stool, seemingly without a care in the world.

It set things up perfectly for the second round and, after shrugging off an early Hernandez clinch, Cerrone picked up where he left off as he landed more solid punches from range, and punishing knees and elbows from the clinch.

Daniel Cormier suggested on commentary that Cerrone should finish his punching salvos with a kick, but “Cowboy” switched things up by opening with one, as he connected with a huge head-kick that dropped Hernandez to the mat.

Cerrone then followed his man to the mat and finished him with strikes to score a statement victory and show the the world that he remains one of the best finishers on the UFC roster. Recap Cerrone’s crowd-pleasing finish via the video above.

Cerrone returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 18 against Conor McGregor in the highly-anticipated main event of UFC 246 in Las Vegas. And a repeat performance from “Cowboy” would be just the way for Cerrone and his fans to kick off 2020 in style.

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Alexander Hernandez calls out Anthony Pettis, declares 2020 his ‘year of fornication’

Alexander Hernandez has officially declared 2020 his ‘Year of Fornication.’

[autotag]Alexander Hernandez[/autotag] has officially declared 2020 his ‘Year of Fornication.’

A tough 2019 saw Hernandez (11-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) suffer his first UFC loss, sustain an injury which required surgery, and only compete three times – a non-ideal rate by his standards.

Now in the final stages of recovery from shoulder surgery, Hernandez is itching to return and he has his sights set on a former UFC lightweight champion.

Thursday morning, Hernandez tweeted at [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag], challenging him to a fight in February. When speaking to MMA Junkie on Thursday afternoon, Hernandez explained the callout was the first step to him to make up for lost time.

“I’m entering 2020 ready to fornicate,” Hernandez said. “That’s the name of the game. I’m trying to blast off and make this year my year. I think Anthony Pettis is the spark to ignite the rocket for my 2020 ‘Year Of Fornication.’ I just feel like he’s just another good jumping pad for me. I think I’ve got a vast amount of ground to make up for in a short amount of time.”

Throughout his recovery, Hernandez said he’s been in close contact with the UFC. Recently, Hernandez was offered a fight against Pettis in December, but was forced to turn it down as he had not fully recovered from his procedure. The offer set his mental wheels in motion.

“When I had the opportunity to fight him in December, I had to turn it down because of my shoulder,” Hernandez said. “That’s just been my target. I got really excited when they offered me that. I’ve been thinking about nonstop since.

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“He’s the candidate to choose, because he’s right on my mind and I’m motivated. He’s obviously an exciting opponent. I’ve watched him forever. The public has watched him forever. He’s made his name in this business and this game for a reason. Just the thought of it is a huge thrill for me.”

Not only does Hernandez view the matchup as stylistically favorable, he wants the world to know he’s not a gun shy, “play it safe and eke out a decision” kind of fighter. The lightweight killer who flattened Beneil Dariush at UFC 195 is still present, Hernandez believes. A fight against Pettis would prove it.

“I definitely want to eradicate the idea that I’m scared or that I’m humbled to a degree that I don’t fight my fight any more,” Hernandez said. “With a fight like this and this kind of opponent, I plan to go out there and starch. I want to bring that murk wagon back around and go toe-to-toe and take Pettis out. There’s not a position or facet in this game that I think he’s better than me at. He breaks. He’s very breakable. And I break things.”

Hernandez perceives the public’s doubt comes from his lone UFC loss. After talking smack to Donald Cerrone in their lead-up to UFC on ESPN+ 1 in January, Hernandez was TKO’d by “Cowboy” in round 2.

Hernandez views the Pettis matchup as being similar to Cerrone. The difference? Hernandez believes he’ll be able to merge his killer instinct and discipline – something fight fans have yet to see from him in the UFC.

“Now having the experience that I have to slow down and breathe to appreciate that wounded animal, I can make the kill,” Hernandez said. “I think that’ll make all the difference. I won’t be so excited by the name or the lights or by the stage. I think that his type of game is really his willingness to throw, his ability to do it, and the flashy style. That’ll make it an exciting fight.

“We both will say we’re going in there to put each other’s heads out, but I guarantee I’ll be the only one going for it. ”

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