After an intense incident at the Tuff-N-Uff 145 event in Las Vegas on Sunday, <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/mma/”>MMA fighter Luis Hernandez has shared his perspective on the clash involving Sean Strickland and Chris Curtis. The confrontation erupted after Hernandez, who secured his sixth professional victory, felt disrespected by Strickland and Curtis, leading to a heated moment inside the cage.
Hernandez remained undefeated by defeating Strickland’s teammate, Miles Hunsinger, via a second-round submission, which marked a significant milestone in his career. Following his victory, Hernandez made a provocative gesture toward Strickland and Curtis, known as a crotch chop, triggering their decision to enter the cage and confront him. Strickland, a former UFC middleweight champion, reacted with visible anger, throwing multiple punches at Hernandez.
Hernandez Describes Feeling Mocked Before the Altercation
In an interview with MMA Fighting, Hernandez recounted the moments leading up to the cage scuffle, explaining the emotions that drove his reaction. He noted that Strickland and Curtis appeared to ridicule him before the physical confrontation.
“I don’t want to go too crazy on details, but I noticed they looked at me and they laughed. They said something, I think he said something to one of the other corner men, I know it’s like three of them. They said something and they started laughing at me. And I was like, man, I’m not a joke. I believe I am the real deal. I’ve got 11 fights, six pro fight finishes now and five finishes in amateur… and I was like, ‘Oh, OK, you’re going to laugh at me? I’m going to get the last laugh.'” —Luis Hernandez
This explanation reveals Hernandez’s mindset, emphasizing his determination not to be underestimated despite being relatively new in his professional career, which includes 11 total fights and multiple finishes as both a professional and amateur fighter.
Hernandez Chooses Not to Press Charges and Shows Respect for His Opponents
Despite the tension and physicality of the cage scuffle, Hernandez has no intention of escalating the situation legally. He expressed a measured and respectful attitude toward Strickland, Curtis, and the Xtreme Couture team in the same interview. Hernandez hopes that the fighters and the public will understand his position as he moves forward.
“I hope the commission does not… like they even asked me, ‘Hey, you’re gonna press charges?’ I’m like, ‘What? No.’ I would never want anything to happen to these guys because I actually like them, and I hope they watch this. I have nothing against Sean, nothing against Chris, nothing against Xtreme Couture. I like those guys.” —Luis Hernandez
His comments underline a level of professionalism and sportsmanship, even amid conflict.
Background on Sean Strickland and Chris Curtis’ Recent Performances
Sean Strickland recently faced a setback when he lost his middleweight title in a rematch against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 312 via unanimous decision. This defeat ended his reign as the division’s champion, contributing to a challenging phase in his career. Meanwhile, Chris Curtis has experienced a losing streak, including a third-round knockout loss to Roman Kopylov at UFC Vegas 101, marking two straight defeats.
This context highlights the high stakes and pressures surrounding the fighters involved in the Tuff-N-Uff 145 altercation.
The Incident’s Significance and What Could Follow
The cage scuffle at Tuff-N-Uff 145 not only generated viral attention but also shed light on the intense emotions fighters endure inside and outside the cage. Luis Hernandez’s rise and unyielding confidence contrast with the frustrations of more established fighters like Strickland and Curtis. Despite the confrontation, Hernandez’s decision against pressing charges may help preserve professional relationships within the MMA community.
The incident might prompt regulatory bodies in Las Vegas and across MMA promotions to review cage security and post-fight protocols to prevent similar outbreaks, but Hernandez’s calm response could contribute to a quicker resolution without lasting repercussions.