Anthony Hernandez

Anthony Hernandez, known by the nickname "Fluffy," is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC's middleweight division.

Hernandez was raised in Dunnigan, a small farming town in Yolo County, California, where his father instilled an early emphasis on toughness and structured combat training. He briefly wrestled at Woodland Senior High School before academic struggles cut that pursuit short, and he later left college to focus on mixed martial arts full-time. He has trained since his late teens with the MMA Gold team in El Dorado Hills under longtime coach Jim West, a partnership that shaped his development from regional prospect to UFC roster member.

He holds a black belt in Marinoble's MMA System and a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, credentials reflected in the technical foundation of his grappling game. Hernandez earned his place on the UFC roster with a first-round knockout on Dana White's Contender Series, a result that came shortly after the death of his father and became a defining moment in his early career.

Inside the cage, Hernandez is built around wrestling-based control and submission grappling. He looks to secure takedowns, advance position, and finish fights on the ground with chokes such as the guillotine and rear-naked choke, complementing that ground game with heavy top pressure and improving striking.

Before reaching the UFC, Hernandez won the LFA middleweight championship, and once in the promotion he built a reputation for standout performances, including a submission win over Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu standout Rodolfo Vieira and a decision victory over Brendan Allen, along with additional bonus-earning performances against fellow middleweight contenders.

Stats last updated: October 18, 2026