Introduction
Alexander Hernandez (born October 1, 1992) is an American mixed martial artist. He is currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship and fights in the Lightweight division. As of October 7, 2019, he is #14 in the UFC lightweight rankings.
Background
Hernandez began wrestling at the age of 13 and started training in other martial arts as he progressed through education and entered college where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Finance out of University of Texas at San Antonio. Hernandez worked as a mortgage loan officer as he was recovering from a MCL and meniscus injury.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Hernandez compiled an amateur MMA record of 3-0 before making his professional debut in the spring of 2012.
He competed for various regional promotions such as Legacy Fighting Alliance and Resurrection Fighting Alliance and by 2018, he had amassed a 8-1 MMA record before signing with the UFC in early 2018.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Hernandez made his promotional debut as a short notice replacement filling in for Bobby Green against Beneil Dariush on March 3, 2018 at UFC 222. Hernandez won the fight via knockout in the fight's opening minute. He was awarded a $50,000 bonus for Performance of the Night.
Hernandez next faced Olivier Aubin-Mercier on July 28, 2018 at UFC on Fox 30. Hernandez won the fight by pushing a high-pace, scoring takedowns, strikes and successful top game to take a unanimous decision.
Hernandez was expected to face Francisco Trinaldo on January 26, 2019 at UFC 233. However, Hernandez was pulled from that fight in favor of a bout with former UFC Lightweight Championship challenger Donald Cerrone a week earlier at UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round. For their performance, both participants were awarded Fight of the Night.
Hernandez faced Francisco Trinaldo on July 20, 2019 at UFC on ESPN 4. He won the fight via unanimous decision. The fight was the subject of much debate, with 11 of 13 media outlets scoring the bout in favor of Trinaldo.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (One time)
- Fight of the Night (One time)
- Hero Fighting Championship
- Hero FC Lightweight Champion (One time)
- MMADNA.nl
- 2018 UFC Debut of the Year.
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 13 matches | 11 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 1 |
| By submission | 2 | 0 |
| By decision | 5 | 1 |
| Draws | 0 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 11–2 | Francisco Trinaldo | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Edwards | July 20, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 10–2 | Donald Cerrone | TKO (head kick and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw | January 19, 2019 | 2 | 3:43 | Brooklyn, New York, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 10–1 | Olivier Aubin-Mercier | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2 | July 28, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | |
| Win | 9–1 | Beneil Dariush | KO (punch) | UFC 222 | March 3, 2018 | 1 | 0:42 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 8–1 | Derrick Adkins | TKO (punches) | LFA 27 | November 10, 2017 | 3 | 1:53 | Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States | Catchweight (160 lbs) bout; Adkins missed weight. |
| Win | 7–1 | Chris Pecero | Submission (rear-naked choke) | RFA 41 | July 29, 2016 | 1 | 1:27 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 6–1 | Rodrigo Sotelo Jr. | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Hero FC: Best of the Best 6 | September 26, 2015 | 1 | 4:44 | El Paso, Texas, United States | Won the Hero FC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 5–1 | Jacob Capelli | Decision (unanimous) | Hero FC : Best of the Best 4 | January 17, 2015 | 3 | 3:00 | Brownsville, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 4–1 | Martin Walker | TKO (punches) | Hero FC: Best of the Best 3 | September 12, 2014 | 1 | 2:59 | Brownsville, Texas, United States | Lightweight debut. |
| Win | 3–1 | Joel Scott | Decision (unanimous) | Hero FC: Texas Pride | September 28, 2013 | 3 | 3:00 | Beaumont, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 2–1 | Jamall Emmers | Decision (split) | Hero FC: Pride of the Valley 2 | June 21, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Pharr, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | David Salazar | TKO (punches) | El Orgullo del Valle | March 16, 2013 | 1 | 0:34 | Pharr, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Dimitre Ivy | Decision (unanimous) | Kickass Productions | October 20, 2012 | 3 | 3:00 | Seguin, Texas, United States |