By FCF Staff

Anthony Hernandez understands he has some work to do yet, but with his first bout of 2025 set for February, the middleweight believes he can enter the title shot mix in 2025.

Hernandez is booked to face Brendan Allen at the UFC’s February 22nd show in Seattle. The two battled back in 2018 under the LFA banner, and Hernandez won the fight via unanimous decision.

Fast forward to today, and Hernandez (13-2) is riding a six-fight winning streak, is ranked #12 in the UFC’s middleweight ranks. As a result, “Fluffy” believes a couple more, pivotal wins in 2025, could move him into a title shot position. While talking to MMA Junkie Radio recently, the 31-year-old said this:

“It sets me up perfect. As long as I can stay healthy, my goal is to by the end of the year be in a position to fight for the title. So, if I have to knock out two more or one big one, I’m f*cking ready for it.

“I’m not getting any younger. My whole goal is to get the belt, hold it for a while, and then retire. That’s the dream. That should set me up for all the things that I want to do in life.”

Allen (24-6), meanwhile, is looking to get back on track after dropping a decision to Nassourdine Imavov in September. That loss snapped a seven-fight winning streak. The 29-year-old Allen is currently ranked #9.