Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez headlines UFC Houston main event

Sean Strickland returns after more than a year out of the cage to face anthony hernandez tonight in a five-round UFC Houston main event at the Toyota Center, with potential title contention on the line. The matchup pairs a veteran coming off a lengthy layoff against a red-hot contender on a sustained finishing run, creating clear stakes for the middleweight picture.

Anthony Hernandez’s recent streak

anthony hernandez (15-2, 1 NC) has compiled a torrid run since 2021, winning eight consecutive UFC bouts and recording six finishes in that span. The 32-year-old California native’s recent stoppages include bonus-winning stoppages of Roman Dolidze, Michel Pereira and Roman Kopylov, a sequence that has pushed him into the upper tier of the division and framed this main event as a potential springboard toward title contention.

Sean Strickland’s return and form

Strickland (29-7) makes his return after more than a year away from competition. The 34-year-old last fought in early February 2025, losing a title bid against then-champion Dricus du Plessis. Across his recent run, Strickland has won four of his past six bouts and scored a notable upset of Israel Adesanya to capture the belt in 2023. Much of Strickland’s success has come by decision: six of his seven most recent UFC wins were decided on the judges’ scorecards, a pattern that contrasts with Hernandez’s finishing profile and sets up a tactical dynamic for the main event.

Card timing and key takeaways

The preliminary card begins at 5 p. m. ET, with the main card scheduled to start at 8 p. m. ET. Access to the broadcast is free for subscribers to the event’s host service.

• Main event is five rounds with potential title implications for the winner.
• Co-main features welterweights Geoff Neal vs. Uros Medic, a fight expected to deliver striking action.
• Notable main-card bouts include a mix of veteran names and rising contenders across multiple weight classes.

Beyond the headliner and co-main, the card lists matchups across middleweight, welterweight, featherweight, heavyweight and women’s divisions, giving the broadcast a stacked feel through the evening. Observers will be watching measurable indicators: Hernandez’s finishing rate and recent activity versus Strickland’s ring rust after a long layoff and his tendency toward decision victories.

Forward look: if anthony hernandez extends his streak with another finish, his ascent toward title contention will gain clearer momentum. Conversely, a win for Strickland — particularly a decisive, sustained performance after the layoff — would reinsert him into title discussions and validate his recent form despite the lengthy absence. Uncertainties remain about how the layoff will affect Strickland’s timing and whether Hernandez’s finishing touch translates against a veteran who often rides decisions to victory.

Tonight’s timelines and the fighters’ recent records frame the match as a consequential crossroads in the middleweight division. Fans and analysts will be watching not just the result but how each competitor achieves it, since method of victory will shape immediate next steps for both men.