Tag: Anthony Hernandez

Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira prediction, pick, start time for UFC Fight Night 245

Will Michel Pereira’s flashy tendencies be too much for Anthony Hernandez in the UFC Fight Night 245 main event?

[autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] and [autotag]Michel Pereira[/autotag] meet Saturday in the main event of UFC Fight Night 245 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. 

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Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira UFC Fight Night 245 preview

Hernandez (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) enters his first UFC main event on a five-fight winning streak. He has finished three straight opponents: Marc-Andre Barriault and Edmen Shahbazyan in the third round, and Roman Kopylov in Round 2. Hernandez has also taken home two Performance of the Night bonuses on his current streak. … Pereira (31-11 MMA, 9-2 UFC) also enters on a hot streak as a winner of his last eight, including three consecutive stoppages after moving up to middleweight. He has also taken home five POTN bonuses during his winning streak.

Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira UFC Fight Night 245 expert pick, prediction

The main event in Las Vegas features a matchup of middleweight contenders, Hernandez and Pereira.

Despite dealing with a slew of injury withdrawals for the past few years, Hernandez has established himself as a real force at 185 pounds. Whereas Pereira, who is riding the momentum of a 7-fight winning streak, has looked to be in top form since moving up from welterweight.

Although the stylistic dynamic slightly favors Hernandez’s relentless wrestling attacks (especially inside the smaller octagon of the Apex), Pereira will be incredibly dangerous early.

Aside from the fact that Pereira carries knockout power in his hands, the Brazilian is also good about going to the body – which appears to be kryptonite to Hernandez.

That said, we still haven’t seen Pereira’s suspect gas tank tested in some time, so I’m curious how “Demolidor” will deal with Hernandez’s Dagestani spin cycle of positional rides and attacks on the floor.

A Pereira win wouldn’t shock me, but I’ll officially side with Hernandez to survive the initial storms and pull away down the stretch for a submission win in Round 3.

Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira UFC Fight Night 245 odds

The oddsmakers and the public heavily favor the Uzbek fighter, listing Temirov -325 and Vergara +250 via FanDuel.

Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira UFC Fight Night 245 start time, how to watch

As the main event, Hernandez and Pereira are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 9:05 p.m. ET (6:05 p.m. PT). The fight will stream on ESPN+.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

UFC Fight Night 245 video: Anthony Hernandez, Michel Pereira make weight in Las Vegas

The main event for the UFC’s latest home show is official after the headliners made weight Friday.

LAS VEGAS – The main event for the UFC’s latest home show is official after the headliners made weight Friday.

Ahead of UFC Fight Night 245 (ESPN+), which takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex, middleweight contenders [autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) and [autotag]Michel Pereira[/autotag] (31-11 MMA, 9-2 UFC) stepped on the scale at the official weigh-ins.

Check out the video from their trips to the scale above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

Exactly how good is Michel Pereira? UFC Fight Night 245 opponent Anthony Hernandez doesn’t really know

Respectfully, Anthony Hernandez wants to let you know he doesn’t care.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] is like many MMA fans.

He doesn’t know what to expect out of opponent [autotag]Michel Pereira[/autotag] come fight night, nor does it bother him.

Despite being one of the highest-ranked middleweights in the world, Hernandez (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) is largely unplugged from the MMA scene. He has a low-key social media presence and doesn’t research the odds or other divisional happenings.

Sure, he knows Pereira (31-11 MMA, 9-2 UFC) does backflips and leaps off the cage. But Hernandez isn’t interested in predicting the unpredictable.

“I don’t know, and I really respectfully don’t care,” Hernandez told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a UFC Fight Night 245 pre-fight news conference Wednesday. “I’m just going to kind of go out there and do what I do. I really don’t give a f*ck what he has to offer because I’m focused on what I’m going to do great. That’s as simple as that. That’s kind of how I keep things mentally for myself.”

Hernandez laid out a very simplistic read of the fight – the things he felt he knew for sure. The difference, he thinks, lies in the cardio.

“It’s hard to say because Pereira in the third round, respectfully, he looks like sh*t,” Hernandez said. “He’s wild as f*ck. He can catch you and knock you the f*ck out. So it’s not like, ‘Oh sh*t.’ But I think that if everything goes right and my hands are up, I think I finish him just because of the way he finishes and the way I don’t gas. Stylistically, seeing it on paper is perfect for me. But now, it’s just go do it.”

“… He’s a hard guy to f*cking judge. I don’t even think he knows what he’s doing. I think he even mentioned that he kind of sees it and goes. But yeah, for sure. It’s like jogging and sprinting. He’s sprinting all the time when he’s doing all that crazy sh*t. That sh*t takes hella energy. His last two fights he came out calm and collected, so I’d expect him to come out calm and collected. That would definitely help his gas tank, for sure.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

Michel Pereira unbothered by underdog status ahead of UFC Fight Night 245, predicts finish of Anthony Hernandez

Michel Pereira previews his main event bout against Anthony Hernandez at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 245, which he believes will end early.

LAS VEGAS – Although he’s fighting in the main event, [autotag]Michel Pereira[/autotag] doesn’t think he’ll need the full 25 minutes to get his hand raised at UFC Fight Night 245.

Pereira (31-11 MMA, 9-2 UFC), a rising middleweight contender, takes on [autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] in the main event of Saturday’s UFC event at the UFC Apex. This is an interesting bout, as Pereira has been stopping his opposition and Hernandez (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) hasn’t been finished in four years. Pereira is confident he can end Hernandez’s run.

“I got very prepared, I’m very ready for this to go five rounds, but I do not think this fight is going to go five rounds,” Pereira told reporters through an interpreter at the UFC Fight Night 245 media day on Wednesday. “Let’s wait and see what happens, but I do not believe this fight is going five rounds.”

In most betting houses, Hernandez enters UFC Fight Night 245 as a slight favorite. Pereira, who’s riding an eight-fight winning streak, is more than fine with being the underdog in this contest and thinks “Fluffy” has done enough to deserve to be favored ahead of their bout.

“I don’t pay attention to that because I do think he’s coming off four or five straight wins in the division, so I understand why people would say that,” Pereira said. “It’s the merit to his credit, much respect to him. I’m accomplishing that, and I’m making my own accomplishments right now. That’s what I’m going to get to in this division as well.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

Michel Pereira vs. Anthony Hernandez booked for Noche UFC at Sphere

The first fight on Noche UFC has been booked with Michael Pereira taking on Anthony Hernandez.

The first booking for the second-ever Noche UFC event is in.

A middleweight matchup between fan-friendly fighters [autotag]Michel Pereira[/autotag] and [autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] has been added to the highly-anticipated event, which will take place Sept. 14 at Sphere in Las Vegas. The card celebrates Mexican Independence Day, which is Sept. 16.

Pereira announced the news on his social media on Tuesday, and MMA Junkie also confirmed the booking with sources.

Pereira (31-11 MMA, 9-2 UFC) is looking to add to his impressive run, as he’s on an eight-fight winning streak, with half of those victories coming by stoppage. The Brazilian is quickly rising up the middleweight ranks. He moved up from welterweight in 2023 and has since picked up three straight wins. Pereira last fought in May when he quickly submitted Ihor Potieria.

Hernandez (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) is also in a tear like Pereira. Unbeaten in his past five outings, Hernandez has picked up three submission and one TKO win. He most recently competed in February when he submitted Roman Kopylov to win a Performance of the Night bonus.

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Anthony Hernandez withdraws from UFC 302 due to hand injury

Anthony Hernandez has been forced to pull out of UFC 302.

[autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] has been forced to pull out of UFC 302.

Hernandez (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) was scheduled to face [autotag]Roman Dolidze[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) in a middleweight bout June 1 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., but he withdrew due to a hand injury.

“Fluffy” took to Instagram Monday night to explain what happened.

“On Friday while training I sustained an injury, I got my MRI results back this morning and unfortunately due to a torn ligament in my hand, I will no longer be able to fight on June 1. I want to apologize to the @ufc , my opponent, & the best matchmaker @mickmaynard2 but this was not an injury I could push through. I hope for a quick return and be back in the cage before summer ends. Thank you to all my fans, friends & family for the continued support 🫶🏽 … the journey continues 🧘🏻‍♂️👹🙏🏽.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6XFZ0vyE4J/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Hernandez was looking to build on his five-fight winning streak. He is coming off back-to-back finishes of Edmen Shahbazyan and most recently a Performance of the Night submission over Roman Kopylov at UFC 298.

After amassing a four-fight winning streak, including a TKO finish of Jack Hermansson, Georgia’s Dolidze dropped two straight to Marvin Vettori and Nassourdine Imavov.

With the change, the current UFC 302 lineup includes:

  • Champion Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier – for lightweight title
  • Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa – five-round co-main event
  • Roman Dolidze vs. opponent TBA
  • Su Mudaerji vs. Tatsuro Taira
  • Jailton Almeida vs. Alexandr Romanov
  • Joselyne Edwards vs. Ailin Perez
  • Mickey Gall vs. Bassil Hafez
  • Grant Dawson vs. Joe Solecki
  • Jake Matthews vs. Phil Rowe
  • Andre Lima vs. Hyun Sung Park
  • Niko Price vs. Jeremiah Wells
  • Cesar Almeida vs. Roman Kopylov

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.

Roman Dolidze vs. Anthony Hernandez joins UFC 302 lineup in June

Ranked middleweights Roman Dolidze and Anthony Hernandez will throw down this summer.

Ranked UFC middleweights [autotag]Roman Dolidze[/autotag] and [autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] will throw down in June.

Dolidze meets Hernandez on June 1 at UFC 302, which is expected to take place at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie following an initial report from MMA Fighting.

Dolidze (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) will look to snap a two-fight losing skid after facing Marvin Vettori and Nassourdine Imavov. Prior to that, the Georgian fighter was a on a four-fight winning streak, including a TKO finish of Jack Hermansson.

Winner of his past five in a row, Hernandez (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) is coming off back-to-back finishes of Edmen Shahbazyan and most recently a Performance of the Night submission over Roman Kopylov at UFC 298.

The current lineup for UFC 302 includes:

  • Jailton Almeida vs. Alexander Volkov
  • Joselyne Edwards vs. Ailin Perez
  • Bassil Hafez vs. Mickey Gall
  • Grant Dawson vs. Joe Solecki
  • Gillian Robertson vs. Michelle Waterson-Gomez
  • Roman Dolidze vs. Anthony Hernandez

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.

UFC 298 medical suspensions: Henry Cejudo among 9 fighters suspended 180 days

Nine UFC 298 competitors are out a potential 180 days due to injuries sustained in their fights Saturday in Anaheim, Calif.

Saturday’s UFC pay-per-view event in Anaheim, Calif. was not a good night to be a limb.

UFC 298 took place at Anaheim, Calif. and featured 12 bouts and 24 fighters. Nine of those fighters were handed six-month suspensions as a result of injuries sustained in their bouts. Eight of those potential injuries were deemed possible fractures.

Monday, California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) executive director Andy Foster, who oversaw the event, provided MMA Junkie with a full list of medical suspensions.

Scroll below to see how much time UFC 298 competitors will have to take off as a result of their bouts Saturday. It’s important to note fighters may return before the conclusion of their suspensions if they are cleared by a physician (unless denoted “no exception” or “mandatory”).

Anthony Hernandez admittedly doesn’t fit typical UFC fighter mold, but confident he’ll make a run

Following his UFC 298 win, Anthony Hernandez admitted he doesn’t follow his division and often overtrains – but his goal is the same.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Unlike many of his fighting counterparts, [autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] isn’t into calling out potential opponents. It’s largely due to the fact that, well, he doesn’t really follow the sport.

Hernandez (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC), who is part of the MMAGOLD fight team, has entrusted in his coaches and the system so much, his confidence in the direction he’s headed is unwavering.

“A win is a win. I don’t give a f*ck,” told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a UFC 298 post-fight news conference Saturday. “I didn’t even know who Rodolfo (Vieira) was when I fought him, to be honest, until after the fight. I honestly don’t know Ikram – or, what’s his name? Roman Kopylov. I don’t know his history. I don’t know what the f*ck he’s done with his life. It’s just another guy that I beat.”

At UFC 298, Hernandez submitted Russia’s Roman Kopylov (12-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) with a rear-naked choke in Round 2. The win was his fifth-straight after a 1-2 start in the promotion.

Hernandez deems it time to start talking about championship runs – as long as he can stay healthy. The injury bug has proven a tough opponent at times.

“I want to make my run,” Hernandez said. “I’ve been proven that I’m here. I want to make my run now. I’m happy. I’m excited. It’s time to get back to f*cking work. … (Getting injured) f*cking sucks. I’m learning how to stay out of my own way and not get f*cking hurt all the time. I’m a retard sometimes and I’ll just f*cking fight anyone for free. I shouldn’t do that sh*t the gym. I have the best team in the world and the best coaches. They’ve been helping me stay out of my own way and just f*cking sticking to the grind. It shows every f*cking fight. I plan on staying healthy and keep doing what I’m doing and making my run.”

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There were no names lodged in his brain, but there is something Hernandez wants next: a main event, and all that comes with it.

“I honestly don’t follow the f*cking division like that,” Hernandez said. “I really don’t know, but whoever the f*ck is in front of me, I’m ready. Give me someone who does not have a fight. I want to do a main event because I’d like to have my face on the poster and I’m trying to get in the video game, so what’s up?”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 298.

UFC 298 post-event facts: Ilia Topuria makes history with title coronation

The best facts to come out of UFC 298, which saw a number of historic feats, including Ilia Topuria’s title KO of Alexander Volkanovski.

The UFC’s second pay-per-view of 2024 was a memorable one, with UFC 298 on Saturday at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., seeing a changing of the guard in the featherweight division.

In the main event, [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) became the new featherweight champion when he delivered on his promise to knock out longtime titleholder [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC), which he did in the second round of their fight to claim gold.

For more on the numbers to come out of the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from UFC 298.