Luis Hernandez Sends Brutal Warning to Chris Curtis – “I’m Going To Retire That Man”

Luis Hernandez has barely had time to settle into the UFC, and Chris Curtis is gunning for him. After making his Octagon debut on short notice and securing a 57-second submission win, Hernandez found himself on the receiving end of another message from the “Action Man.”

Hernandez has no intention of backing down. Instead, the UFC newcomer is taking things in stride, sending a cold warning shot to the veteran as he awaits his next fight

Luis Hernandez Fires Back at Chris Curtis After UFC Debut

The undefeated prospect earned his UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series before accepting a fight against Sedriques Dumas on just two days’ notice at UFC Vegas 121. Despite the short preparation, Hernandez, aka “The Stache,” took just 57 seconds to submit Dumas with a guillotine, announcing his arrival. He also picked up a Performance of the Night bonus in the process.

At 9-0, the 30-year-old now has a perfect professional record and a UFC win to match it. But almost immediately after his debut came a callout.

Earlier, Curtis, a 12-fight veteran in the promotion, had already made his intentions known, saying he wanted Hernandez to get a few more UFC fights before settling their differences inside the Octagon. The veteran middleweight also promised that when the matchup eventually happens, he would “fold this man up like a cheap suitcase.”

Luis Hernandez Unloads on Chris Curtis

That was it for the sheriff. Speaking to Mike Heck of MMA Fighting, Hernandez went ballistic on the 39-year-old. He said, “He’s trying to get off my clout. No offense to him, he’s 39 years old. He’s about to be retired. In my mind, he’s retired. He’s 6-5-1 in the UFC, right? Never done anything with his career.” 

The light heavyweight acknowledged that Curtis is experienced and a capable fighter, but believes the callout says something about how quickly his own stock has risen.

“He’s a good fighter, he does have experience, but it just shows you the type of caliber fighter I’m that I win a contract and he’s calling me already. Got 40-something fights and he’s calling a guy that’s 8-0,” he added before turning Curtis’ own threat back on him.

“Listen, he wants to fold me like a chair? I’m going to retire him and send him to an old person’s home if he keeps messing around with me.”

Chris Curtis a Problem that Won't Go Away for Luis Hernandez

The Miami-Dade sheriff’s deputy has plenty of unfinished business on his plate already, and he knows Curtis is unlikely to disappear. For now, though, Hernandez seems to play it smart, building his record before settling the score.

“I’m going to get my fights in, get my record up, and when his name comes across, I’m going to retire that man. I’m going to be the final nail that goes into that coffin, and Chris Curtis is going to get retired.”

The Chris Curtis-Sean Strickland Connection That Started It All

For the unversed, this isn't a feud that appeared out of nowhere after Hernandez joined the UFC. The roots go back to June 2025 at Tuff-N-Uff 145, when Hernandez submitted Miles Hunsinger with a standing guillotine. 

Hunsinger was a teammate of Curtis and former UFC middleweight champion, Sean Strickland, at Xtreme Couture, and both were in his corner that night. Despite the impressive submission win, the post-fight scene turned ugly.

Hernandez celebrated by taunting Hunsinger’s corner and making a crotch-chop gesture in Strickland’s direction. The fallout was swift. The UFC Middleweight champion then entered the cage and confronted Hernandez, with Curtis also becoming involved in the ensuing chaos.

Interestingly, Hernandez and Strickland have since put the incident behind them, while Curtis clearly hasn’t. A few days ago, Curtis revealed that he contacted UFC matchmakers after Hernandez was signed, only to be told that the undefeated newcomer wasn't ready for him. 

In fact, even after Hernandez’s UFC debut, Curtis said officials still viewed the matchup as premature. That apparently hasn't changed his mind.

“I’m getting a lot of messages saying, ‘Fight Luis Hernandez, fight Luis Hernandez,’” Curtis told his followers via a post. “Guys, I am petty as hell.”

Chris Curtis Wanted to Fight Luis Hernandez for Some Time 

The welterweight then went on to explain that he had been trying to get the fight made since Hernandez entered the promotion and was willing to wait until the UFC believed the prospect had enough experience.

“I want him to do well,” he added. “I want him to get a few wins because the moment he gets a few wins, the moment he’s not brand new in the UFC, I’m going to fight him. The moment they stop saying he’s not ready and they let him have a real fight, I am going to fold this man like a cheap suitcase. I cannot wait.”

That said, Hernandez now knows exactly where Curtis stands. He also knows that the UFC may want him to gain more experience before putting the two together.

For now, that leaves the rivalry in an unusual place. Hernandez is the unbeaten newcomer trying to establish himself, while Curtis is the veteran already looking down the road, eyeing a win after his decision loss to Myktybek Oralbai