Lightweights Alexander Hernandez and Austin Hubbard faced off on the televised preliminary card of UFC 307 on Saturday, with Hubbard looking for his second win since returning to the promotion last year.
Hernandez, for his part, was 1-4 in his last five and looking to snap a two-fight skid, most recently having dropped a split decision against Damon Jackson.
Hubbard started the fight by pushing Hernandez back, taking control of the centre of the cage. Hernandez began finding the range with his left hand late in the first round. Both fighters had success, however, Hubbard couldn’t find his opportunity for a level change, and Hernandez was getting into his flow with his striking.
Hernandez’s stance-switching and lightning fast-strikes were starting to trouble Hubbard in the second round. Hernandez was showing off stellar takedown defense, and kept the fight in his realm. Hernandez looked the best he had looked in a while, through two rounds.
Hubbard came out in the third round with more intensity, landing clean shots, but few had any venom on them. Hernandez defended yet another takedown attempt, and took brief control of the back of Hubbard. Both fighters appeared to stun each other at the end of the fight, but no finish. On the scorecards, Hernandez won a split decision, with the dissenting judge seeing it 30-27 Hubbard.
Alexander Hernandez moved back up to 155 for this fight, and has stated that he will stay there. San Antonio’s “The Great Ape” took a much needed win in his return to lightweight.
Official Result: Alexander Hernandez def. Austin Hubbard by split decision (27–30, 29–28, 29–28)
