Sean Strickland found himself in the middle of a heated exchange with the Houston crowd just before his fight against Anthony Hernandez. The pre-fight tension at the Toyota Center reached its peak on February 21, 2026, as boos filled the air, and Strickland didn't hold back in responding.
The night was set for an exciting showdown between these two aggressive middleweights during UFC Fight Night. Strickland, known for relentless pressure and patience in the octagon, faced a unique atmosphere as many fans showed strong support for Hernandez, likely due to his Mexican heritage.
Breaking through the noise, Strickland addressed the audience without hesitation.
"I don't even need to ask a question. Listen here you motherf***ers. I know you guys, you might want your local Mexican to win. There is nothing wrong with that. But let me tell you, Lone Star... There is only one motherfer who stands in this fing cage and wrestles. I like a motherfer. F you,"Strickland expressed candidly [on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/DVBw5cOl3Gx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading).
The contrasting fighting styles added more layers to this upcoming bout. Strickland's method usually involves stalking his opponent while carefully waiting for openings, whereas Hernandez favored pushing the pace and throwing combinations.
As the night went on, fans eagerly anticipated how these styles would collide when they finally faced off inside the cage later during [Paramount+](https://www.paramountplus.com) broadcast starting at 8 p.m. ET following preliminary fights at 5 p.m. ET.
The stage was unmistakably set with emotions running high both inside and outside of the octagon as two distinct fighting styles clashed amid a divided crowd environment.
