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Anthony Hernandez showcased his elite grappling skills at UFC Seattle, grinding out a unanimous decision victory over Brendan Allen in their middleweight rematch. The fight marked Hernandez’s seventh consecutive win in the UFC and his second triumph over Allen, having previously defeated him seven years ago.
While Allen had his moments in the fight, Hernandez’s ability to control the ground game proved the difference-maker. From the opening bell, Allen looked to impose his striking, landing a head kick that connected flush. However, his decision to engage in grappling allowed Hernandez time to recover and reset.
Hernandez soon flipped the script, dragging Allen to the mat and relentlessly searching for submissions. Though Allen managed to reverse positions multiple times, Hernandez consistently regained control, applying constant pressure that wore down his opponent.
By the final round, Allen’s corner urged him to focus on damage rather than chasing submissions. He responded with a hard left hook that forced Hernandez to retreat. However, as Allen pressed forward aggressively, Hernandez took advantage of an opening, securing another takedown and dominating from top position.
The fight ended with Hernandez landing elbows, leaving no doubt for the judges. He secured the unanimous decision with 29-28 scores across the board.
After the win, Hernandez expressed confidence in his evolving skill set.
“I got to prove what I knew, that I could shut him down this time,” Hernandez said in his post-fight interview. “It’s good to come out and show what I can do. Last time he fcked me up with the kicks, so I didn’t want that to happen again. He kept fighting. He’s a tough motherfcker.”
Now riding a seven-fight win streak, Hernandez has firmly established himself as a middleweight contender. With champion Dricus Du Plessis seeking fresh challengers, Hernandez’s grinding style could make him a dangerous matchup for anyone in the division.