Anthony Hernandez
Active 2019–present · rated in 3 editions · peak overall 84.0
Scouting report
Submitting multi-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion Rodolfo Vieira at UFC 258, Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez established an aerobic pace in the middleweight division. Hailing from Dunnigan, California, Hernandez climbed into the top 10 against Michel Pereira, his motor and ground game proven by a 94 Cardio and 88 BJJ, forging an 84 Overall grade.
Peak ratings
By edition
Hernandez scored a submission upset at UFC 258 in Las Vegas in February 2021, to submit Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu multi-time world champion Rodolfo Vieira with a second-round guillotine choke. His scramble wrestling, front chokes, and pace are reflected in a 76 Boxing and 82 Wrestling.
Hernandez built a five-fight winning streak between 2022 and 2024, submitting Marc-Andre Barriault with an arm-triangle, stopping Edmen Shahbazyan with elbows in Las Vegas, and submitting Roman Kopylov with a rear-naked choke at UFC 298 in Anaheim. His wrestling pace, top rides, and submission transitions anchor his 78 Boxing and 87 Wrestling.
Anthony Hernandez, the Dunnigan kid who was cut from his high school wrestling team
Anthony Hernandez was born in Dunnigan, California, and graduated from Woodland High School in 2011. He wrestled there but was kicked off the team for grades, attended college briefly and dropped out to pursue MMA. He made his amateur debut in 2010 and won the Legacy Fighting Alliance middleweight title by unanimous decision over Brendan Allen in 2018. He made his debut in the big promotion in 2019.
Hernandez's ratings, explained
Boxing. Reasonable at 78. He stopped Michel Pereira by TKO in the fifth round in 2024.
Kickboxing. Reasonable at 76, his lowest mark.
Wrestling. Strong at 87 in his best edition. He beat Brendan Allen in a rematch by unanimous decision in 2025.
BJJ. Strong at 88. He submitted Rodolfo Vieira with a guillotine in the second round in 2021 and beat Roman Dolidze with a rear-naked choke in the fourth round in 2025.
Strength. Strong at 82. He stopped Edmen Shahbazyan by TKO in round three in 2023.
Durability. Solid at 83. Kevin Holland stopped him in 39 seconds in 2020.
Cardio. His top mark at 94. He took Pereira to the fifth round in October 2024 and won by TKO.
Fight IQ. Reasonable at 84. He beat Edmen Shahbazyan by TKO in 2023 and Roman Kopylov by rear-naked choke in 2024.
Cardio is the standout: 94
Cardio at 94 tops his card. The fights that show it are the long ones: he stopped Michel Pereira in the fifth round in October 2024, and he finished Roman Dolidze with a rear-naked choke in the fourth round in 2025. His approach is to grind, take the fight to the ground and keep the pace up until the other man slows.
Striking is the shortfall: Kickboxing
Kickboxing at 76 is his lowest number. Kevin Holland stopped him in 39 seconds in 2020, and Sean Strickland stopped him in round three in February 2026. Against a sharp striker who can keep him from getting close, he will need to rely on his wrestling to get the fight where he is comfortable.
Keep exploring
Closest middleweight profiles to Anthony Hernandez, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Jack Hermanssonbest cardio 88 · weakest kickboxing 77
- Brendan Allenbest bjj 91 · weakest kickboxing 80
- Tim Kennedybest wrestling 84 · weakest kickboxing 75
- Marvin Vettoribest durability 93 · weakest kickboxing 80
- Middleweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Protecting your streak: a guide that fits Anthony Hernandez's strongest attribute, Cardio.
Draft Anthony Hernandez into your build
Anthony Hernandez enters the pool on any spin landing on middleweight between 2020 and present. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Anthony Hernandez is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Anthony Hernandez's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.