Kamaru Usman Weighs In on Hernandez's Future
In a recent episode of Pound 4 Pound, Kamaru Usman said he'd like to see Anthony Hernandez remain at 185 lbs.
Kamaru Usman has some advice for Anthony Hernandez (15-4, 1 NC MMA, 9-4, 1 NC UFC) in the aftermath of his second successive loss: Stay in the middleweight division. A week ago Saturday, Hernandez fought inside Golden 1 Center for the UFC Sacramento main event versus Gregory Rodrigues (20-6 MMA, 11-3 UFC,) losing by unanimous decision.
Following his Aug. 22 defeat in the Golden State, Anthony Hernandez soundly rejected the idea that he should drop down to 170 lbs, saying simply "Why fix it if it ain't broke?" Kamaru Usman also subscribes to the belief that Hernandez is at home at 185,
During the latest episode of Usman's Pound 4 Pound podcast, "The Nigerian Nightmare's co-host, Henry Cejudo, suggested that "Fluffy" move to the welterweight division, leading to Usman to come to Hernandez' defense.
Kamaru Usman Urges Anthony Hernandez to Remain in Middleweight Ranks
"Welterweight? Why do people always do this thing?," Kamaru Usman pondered. "Okay, just because someone loses, yeah, they've got to switch weight classes. No! There's a lot of guys there in that division for him to fight, Roman Dolidze. Looking at the rankings, there's so many guys in that division, Israel Adesanya."
Henry Cejudo supported the idea that Kamaru Usman suggested.
"That'd be a nice one," Cejudo said. "I'd like to see Israel Adesanya and 'Fluffy' Hernandez."
Building off of his idea that Hernandez and Adesanya should fight in the future, Usman mentioned that people shouldn't be quick to write "Fluffy" off after a two-fight losing streak.
"It's not just, 'Oh, yeah, he lost to him. He's gone,'" he continued. "We've got Caio Borralho, we've got Christian Leroy Duncan, you've got so many guys here."
Kamaru Usman Has Particular Fighter in Mind for Anthony Hernandez' Next Fight
In the midst of Kamaru Usman rattling off names for potential opponens in Anthony Hernandez' next contest, he zeroed in on one Contender Series alumnus who wrestled collegiately in the Big Ten Conference.
"Bo Nickal," Usman said. "Bo Nickal, this would be a good test. If you want to slide Bo Nickal up there, this is a phenomenal test, because Bo Nickal, after that impressive win at The White House, this is a phenomenal one to try to get him in that top-10."
Two and a half months ago, Bo Nickal fought on UFC Freedom 250 on The White House grounds in Washington, DC against Kyle Daukaus. The former Penn State wrestler finished Daukaus inside the opening round of action with a right hook followed by ground and pound shots.
Kamaru Usman Thinks Possible Fight Between Anthony Hernandez, Bo Nickal Right Fit for Both Contestants
At present, Bo Nickal stakes claim to the No. 13 ranking, while Anthony Hernandez is the No. 8 contender in the middleweight division. If the UFC decides to book Nickal and Hernandez for a contest at a later date, Kamaru Usman is of the mindset that such a contest would be must-see TV.
"I think this is a phenomenal fight," he said. "Good fight for Bo Nickal, great fight. It's also a good fight for 'Fluffy' Hernandez."
Henry Cejudo had one last thing to say to the powers that be at the UFC.
"I like it," he said. "I like it. Dana White, Hunter Campbell, book it!"
