Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is eyeing Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez for his Octagon return.
Strickland, out since February, says beating Hernandez will push him back into title contention — and toward Khamzat Chimaev.
“I don’t want Izzy,” he told MMA Junkie. “I want Fluffy. He’s like the American Chimaev. That fight puts me right back in.”
Strickland’s six-month suspension for a coaching-related brawl may be reduced if he completes anger management classes.
Hernandez, on an eight-fight win streak, was set for a title eliminator before injury sidelined him in October.
Strickland believes he’s the only man capable of dethroning Chimaev. “Once he can’t maul you, he quits,” he said.
“I’ve trained with these guys. Nobody else in that division knows what it’s like to grapple those f——.”
