The ending to Carlos Hernandez’s last fight wasn’t exactly common.
In the final ten seconds of Hernandez’s bout with Denys Bondar, the two flyweights went from the clinch to a takedown attempt by Hernandez. In that takedown, Hernandez and Bondar accidentally clashed heads – knocking Bondar out. Hernandez followed up with a handful of elbows in a stunning ending to what was a competitive fight.
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The judges ruled that the accidental head clash caused the fight to end, therefore taking away the TKO stoppage and forcing a visit to the scorecards, which awarded Hernandez the unanimous decision win.
“It was kind of wild,” Hernandez told UFC.com. “The ending was a little controversial, I guess some might say. It kind of blew up the second it finished. Watching that unfold was a bit wild and hectic, but it was good because we were on the good side of it.”
Even though it won’t go down as a knockout win on Hernandez’s record, the more important thing is that the 30-year-old got the win and felt great en route to it.
“I think that’s the best performance I’ve had in the UFC Octagon to date,” Hernandez said. “I showed more of my true skill set in that fight.”
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Hernandez came into the UFC as an undefeated prospect, and he’s gone 2-1 in the Octagon thus far. In his three fights, he’s learned some lessons, and he also feels more established now that he’s found his footing on that UFC canvas.
This weekend at UFC Fight Night: Song vs Gutierrez, he’ll have the chance to hand Tatsuro Taira his first professional loss and gain some serious traction at 125 pounds. It’s an exciting matchup and Hernandez can’t wait to show where his skill level is at when up against a prospect like Taira, who has plenty of hype.
“He’s solid. He’s undefeated, 4-0 in the promotion and pretty slick on the ground but, at the same time, I don’t think he’s fought anybody like me,” Hernandez said. “I’m excited to see how it unfolds on Saturday and who can implement their gameplan better.
“He hasn’t fought anyone that brought it to him like I can, that can keep the pace like I can, and that won’t settle on the floor. We’ll see Saturday.”
In just over a week, down the road from the UFC APEX, the flyweight title will be on the line between champion Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval. It can’t hurt to make a statement right around the time that all eyes are on the division, and Hernandez believes the flyweight division is one of the sport’s best.
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He also feels like he fits right into the mold of how his elite peers compete.
“It’s exciting the way the division is,” Hernandez said. “I like to think that I’ve never been in a boring fight. It’s just a fun, high-paced, technical fight that always keeps you on your feet because anything that can happen at any second.”
Truthfully, Hernandez believes the matchup with Taira is the perfect opportunity for where he’s at in his UFC career. If he beats someone as talented as Taira, it will be a telltale sign that he’s not only deserving of more attention, but that he’s right on the edge of the flyweight rankings.
“I think it’ll open a lot of people’s eyes like my last finish did. It’d put a little more respect on my name and I’ll look to climb into the rankings after victory on Saturday,” Hernandez said. “I think with a victory over him we’re close, if not in there.”
UFC Fight Night: Song vs Gutierrez took place live from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas on December 9, 2023. See the Final Results, Official Scorecards and Who Won Bonuses - and relive the action on UFC Fight Pass!
