Sean Strickland returns to winning ways at UFC Fight Night 267

🔥 Main Event: Former Champ Strickland Returns With a Statement

Sean Strickland headlined the card against surging contender Anthony Hernandez in a pivotal middleweight showdown. The former UFC Middleweight Champion showcased sharp boxing and octagon control throughout the fight, eventually cracking Hernandez with a devastating knee and punches in the third round. Referee Herb Dean waved off the contest at 2:33 of Round 3, handing Strickland a technical knockout victory.

• • Result: Strickland def. Hernandez — TKO (Round 3)

  • Significance: The win halts Hernandez’s eight-fight unbeaten run and puts Strickland in strong position back toward middleweight title contention.

Strickland’s performance earned him one of the night’s Performance of the Night bonuses, reinforcing that he still packs elite finishing power.

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⚡ Co-Main & Standout Finishes

The undercard and co-main delivered brutal and exciting moments, including:

• Uros Medic scored a highlight-reel KO over Geoff Neal just 1:19 into Round 1, showcasing his explosive power and timing.

• Melquizael Costa continued his streak with a spinning back kick and punches TKO against Dan Ige late in the first round — another impressive featherweight finish.

• Jacobe Smith took out newcomer Josiah Harrell via KO in Round 1, adding another emphatic finish to the night.

These performances also earned additional Performance of the Night bonuses, highlighting how many fighters made a statement at UFC Houston.

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🥊 Other Key Bouts & Decisions

A handful of fights went the distance and showcased technical skill and competitiveness:

• Serghei Spivac used solid striking and pressure to grind out a unanimous decision victory over Ante Delija, giving him momentum in the heavyweight ranks.

• Michel Pereira edged Zach Reese via split decision in a competitive welterweight bout that saw back-and-forth action.

On the prelims, a few decisions and submissions rounded out the card:

• Carli Judice earned a unanimous decision over Juliana Miller.

• Jocelyne Edwards secured a submission win over Nora Cornolle.

• Flyweights Alibi Idiris, Aldin Coria, and welterweight Punahele Soriano also notched decision victories in their respective bouts.

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🩹 Post-Fight Notes & Medical Suspensions

Following the event, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation issued medical suspensions for all fighters who competed, ranging from short lay-offs to longer recovery periods. Two fighters — Alden Coria and Ramiz Brahimaj — received indefinite suspensions pending medical clearance.

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📈 Takeaways

UFC Fight Night 267 delivered both spectacle and storyline developments:

• Strickland’s victory re-establishes him as a force in the middleweight title picture and ends the rise of a hot contender in Hernandez.

• Explosive finishes from Medic, Costa, and Smith ensured the night was memorable beyond just the main event.

• Competitive decisions and submissions across weight classes underscored the depth and diversity of talent on the roster.

Overall, the UFC’s return to Houston combined veteran resurgence, emerging stars, and fight-finishing firepower — a balanced card that delivered for fans from start to finish.