Sean Strickland Returns to UFC vs. Hernandez in Houston

Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland announced his return to the Octagon after a yearlong absence, headlining UFC Houston against Anthony Hernandez on February 21, 2026, while expressing disinterest in a proposed historic UFC event at the White House and criticizing heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall's handling of a recent injury.

Strickland, 34, has been sidelined since a unanimous decision loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 312 in February, where he dropped every round in a failed bid to reclaim the middleweight title. That defeat marked his second loss to du Plessis, leaving him 0-2 in title fights against the South African fighter. His absence stemmed from a six-month suspension by the Nevada Athletic Commission following a post-fight brawl at a Tuff-N-Uff event in Las Vegas last June. Now cleared to compete, Strickland turned down an opportunity on the UFC 325 card in Australia on January 31, citing high taxes for non-residents and lack of medical insurance coverage. "Australia, I love you guys, but I don't have medical insurance," he wrote on social media. "You want me to get my first fight back there and give half my check to buy your medical insurance? I ain't...