TLDR
- Daniel Cormier praised Sean Strickland’s third-round TKO victory over Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston
- Cormier compared Strickland’s performance to his 2023 upset win over Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title
- Strickland’s jab control and effective body work impressed Cormier as tools that could trouble Khamzat Chimaev
- Cormier said Strickland looked much better than in his two recent losses to Dricus du Plessis
- Strickland called out undefeated middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev after the fight
Sources: BJ Penn | MMA Fighting | Cageside Press
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier says Sean Strickland’s performance at UFC Houston will make a potential title fight against Khamzat Chimaev much tougher than expected. Strickland defeated Anthony Hernandez by third-round TKO in Saturday’s main event at the Toyota Center.
The former middleweight champion called out Chimaev immediately after the victory. Cormier analyzed the fight on his YouTube channel and said the version of Strickland who fought Saturday night reminded him of the fighter who upset Israel Adesanya to win the title in 2023.
“If that guy that showed up tonight shows up in that fight, it will be much more difficult a fight for the great Khamzat Chimaev,” Cormier said. “Why? Because even Israel Adesanya at the peak of his powers struggled with that version of Sean Strickland.”
Strickland’s Jab and Body Work Impressed Cormier
Cormier pointed to specific technical aspects of Strickland’s performance that could trouble Chimaev. He praised Strickland’s jab control throughout the fight, which kept Hernandez from implementing his pressure-heavy game plan.
“When Sean Strickland is at his best, he can fight behind the jab,” Cormier explained. “When he fought Israel Adesanya, which to date is his greatest performance of his career, that jab was popping all night long.”
Strickland also hurt Hernandez with body strikes, including a knee that forced the usually durable fighter to retreat. Cormier said this showed Strickland’s ability to adjust his attack when an opponent has a strong chin.
“Because Anthony Hernandez pressures so much, he puts himself in the range for knees,” Cormier said. “That’s exactly what Sean did. Sean hit him with a knee and for the first time in years I saw Anthony Hernandez retreat because he was hurt.”
The finish marked Strickland’s first stoppage victory since 2023. Hernandez is known for his wrestling, cardio, and toughness, making the TKO win particularly impressive to observers.
Questions About Previous Losses to Du Plessis
Strickland lost the middleweight title to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 in January 2024. He then lost a rematch at UFC 312 in a more lopsided decision earlier this year.
Cormier said those performances didn’t reflect Strickland’s true abilities. “The Dricus Du Plessis fight, it didn’t seem like Sean was locked all the way in,” he said. “He seemed a little messed up and it showed.”
The losses drew public criticism from Strickland’s coach Eric Nicksick, though the two later reconciled. Cormier said he saw no disconnect between fighter and team at UFC Houston.
“He didn’t look the same but tonight he looked the same,” Cormier said. “He looked like the guy that became a world champion.”
Strickland and Chimaev have an existing rivalry that includes claims they sparred together in the past. Chimaev won the middleweight title in August 2025 with a decision victory over du Plessis and remains undefeated in his UFC career.
Cormier acknowledged he doesn’t know if Strickland can defend Chimaev’s wrestling for 25 minutes. However, he believes the striking performance against Hernandez proves Strickland has the tools to make it a competitive fight.
Chimaev has not yet defended his middleweight title. Strickland’s victory over Hernandez, combined with his name value and the existing rivalry, positions him as a leading contender for the next title shot.
