Overview
- UFC officials announced the five-round middleweight headliner for Feb. 21 at Toyota Center in Houston, the promotion’s first Houston card since 2022.
- Sean Strickland, a former champion ranked No. 3, returns as his six-month Nevada suspension from a June brawl expires this month.
- Anthony Hernandez, ranked No. 4, enters on an eight-fight UFC winning streak with recent victories over Roman Dolidze and Brendan Allen.
- Hernandez withdrew from an October matchup with Reinier de Ridder because of injury, pausing a prior eliminator opportunity.
- The winner could move into position to challenge champion Khamzat Chimaev in 2026, with Nassourdine Imavov also in the mix.