After navigating a turbulent build-up marked by uncertainty and frustration, Alexander Hernandez arrives at UFC Vegas 116 with a sense of relief and renewed focus ahead of his clash with Rafa Garcia on Saturday night.
Hernandez (18-8) had his most recent fight canceled due to what was labeled “suspicious betting activity.” While he can now joke about the situation, the five weeks that followed were clearly a stressful stretch for the lightweight.
“That was a headache-and-a-half dude. That was a stressful 5 weeks. It’s good to just be on the right side of it now, and praying no f*ckery takes place this week,” Hernandez told reporters on Wednesday.
“Obviously a little bit of tension in the air over that in the back of my mind. I’m happy to be back, we’re making jokes, I felt the oppression of people of the past here. Bomaye, Alex Ali or Mandela this week coming back from false accusations, and getting a chance to rise again.”
He spoke openly about the fallout from the canceled bout, highlighting the uncertainty and frustration that followed. With no clear framework in place for situations like this, he raised concerns about how fighters are supported when faced with serious allegations.
“This is uncharted territory. This is the first time someone’s been falsely accused of fixing a fight or anything like that. It’s new waters for everyone to figure out how to tread and I think there needs to be some kind of a protection over the combatant themselves. Who’s looking out for me, in that case,” he said.
“Or whoever it happens to next. Uninformed prop bet profiles, unregulated bookies, and an uneducated Bureau pressing on you and no one’s protection the individual and looking out for him. Everyone’s covering their own ass and you’re hoping to not get f*cked in yours. Needs to be someone looking out for the fighter.”
At UFC Vegas 116 he faces Garcia who brings a tough and pressure-heavy style to the octagon on Saturday night.
“He’s a tough brute. Stout, sturdy fighter, he’s going to press forward,” Hernandez told reporters on Wednesday.
“I like the matchup, I like the stylistic challenge of it. I expect him to be strong and durable.”
A victory over Garcia would push Hernandez further into contention in the crowded lightweight division, potentially positioning him on the doorstep of the top 15. With momentum on his side, Hernandez believes it could also open the door to bigger opportunities, including a first UFC main event slot.
“It’d be great. Push the streak and then I think be in contention, top 15, and then a main event. I think after this fight call for a main event slot,” he said.
“I think he’s a strong boxer-wrestler. I think I’m a sharper boxer-wrestler. I think I’ll beat his feet, find openings, and I think I’ll exploit them. He can blend pretty well in MMA and I expect to do the same.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Alexander Hernandez above. He faces Rafa Garcia at UFC Vegas 116 on Saturday night.
