TLDR
- Luis Hernandez submitted Hugo Guillon with a rear-naked choke in the second round at Dana White’s Contender Series
- Hernandez is the first active sheriff’s deputy in the country to earn a UFC contract
- The 5-foot-9 middleweight entered the fight as an underdog against 6-foot-4 Hugo Guillon
- Hernandez improved his undefeated record to 8-0 with all wins by submission or knockout
- Over 40 supporters from Miami flew to Las Vegas to watch the fight at the Meta APEX
Sources: middleeasy.com | nbcmiami.com | sports.yahoo.com
Luis Hernandez, a full-time Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputy, became the first active law enforcement officer in the country to earn a UFC contract after submitting Hugo Guillon on Dana White’s Contender Series. The fight took place on September 15, 2026, at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas.
Hernandez finished Guillon with a rear-naked choke just over one minute into the second round of their 185-pound middleweight bout. UFC President Dana White awarded him a contract moments after the victory.
The 5-foot-9 Hernandez entered the fight as an underdog against the 6-foot-4 Guillon. Despite the size disadvantage, Hernandez improved his perfect record to 8-0, with all wins coming by submission or knockout.
Watch Party Celebrates Historic Win
Deputies at a watch party in Doral erupted in celebration when Hernandez secured the victory. Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz shared video of the moment on social media.
FROM GETTING KNOCKED DOWN TO TAPPING HIM OUT 🤯
Luis Hernandez gets the submission!
[ #DWCS | LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/M2l4prjTuf
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) September 16, 2026
“Deputy Luis Hernandez just earned his UFC contract with a second-round submission on Dana White’s Contender Series,” the sheriff wrote. “Luis, your discipline, determination, and years of hard work brought you to this moment and tonight, you delivered.”
Hernandez is a member of the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Priority Response Team. According to the sheriff’s office, he works in a specialized unit that deals with active shooter situations and shootings.
Over 40 people flew from Miami to Las Vegas to support Hernandez at the fight. The crowd at the Meta APEX gave him strong support, with USA chants breaking out during the bout.
Fighter Opens Up About Balancing Two Careers
In his post-fight interview, Hernandez spoke about how his police work helps him in the cage. “At work, I could possibly die. Inside the cage, I know what’s the worst that could happen,” he said.
Hernandez started training eight years ago with specific goals in mind. According to the sheriff’s office, he wanted to reach the UFC, fight in Miami at the Kaseya Center, and compete at the top of his weight class.
The fighter said he is willing to compete at both middleweight (185 pounds) and welterweight (170 pounds) in the UFC. He compared himself to Kevin Holland, who has fought in both divisions.
During the post-fight celebration, Hernandez performed his signature moves, including a gun holster gesture followed by a crotch chop. He described himself as a brawler who models his style after Don Frye.
Hernandez said he has no plans to call out specific fighters yet. When asked about middleweight champion Sean Strickland, with whom he had a previous heated exchange, Hernandez said he is actually a fan and would like to meet with him.
The fighter’s parents are Cuban immigrants, and he said he is proud to represent both his department and his country. Hernandez mentioned that many of his coworkers at the sheriff’s office have grown mustaches in support of his signature look.
Hernandez told reporters he is ready to entertain fans wherever the UFC wants him to fight. “I love to do jujitsu. I love to strike. I love to wrestle. I’ll do it all,” he said.
