UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev has established himself as a formidable opponent, boasting a remarkable record that includes victories over prominent fighters like Dricus Du Plessis, Robert Whittaker, Kamaru Usman, and Kevin Holland. In light of his success, former UFC bantamweight contender Urijah Faber recently expressed his admiration for Chimaev during an appearance on the Jaxxon podcast.
Faber emphasized that Chimaev’s strength lies not just in his technique but in his mentality. He believes that the Chechen fighter’s unwavering commitment to wrestling, combined with his resilience and fierce self-belief, makes him exceptionally difficult to defeat. Despite this, Faber identified a potential challenger who could rise to the occasion—Anthony ‘Fluffy’ Hernandez.
When discussing Hernandez, Faber’s enthusiasm was evident. He described Hernandez’s endurance, likening it to that of UFC legend Cain Velasquez, and praised his training regimen, which includes collaborations with high-level wrestlers and jiu-jitsu practitioners. Hernandez’s work with a group known as the “grappling boys” has significantly enhanced his game, according to Faber.
Hernandez is set to face former middleweight champion Sean Strickland at UFC Fight Night on February 21 at the UFC Apex. A win in this matchup could potentially extend Hernandez’s current eight-fight win streak to nine and position him closer to a title shot against Chimaev. The only two losses on Hernandez’s UFC record came against Kevin Holland and Markus Perez, making his recent ascent through the ranks particularly notable.
Strickland, known primarily for his striking, has also demonstrated a strong ground game, as noted by his coach Eric Nicksick. Nicksick highlighted the importance of preparation in facing Hernandez, especially considering the latter’s grappling prowess. The matchup is anticipated to be crucial, as the winner could find themselves in contention for a title fight against Chimaev, ultimately testing Faber’s assertion about Hernandez’s potential.
As the fight approaches, both fighters are preparing meticulously, and the outcome holds significant implications for the middleweight division. Fans are eager to see if Hernandez can indeed challenge Chimaev, reflecting the unpredictable nature of mixed martial arts.