UFC Fight Night takes place at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on Saturday the 21st of February (early hours of Sunday the 22nd in South Africa) with a middleweight bout headlining the event as Sean Strickland faces Anthony Hernandez. We take a closer look at the Strickland bout as well as two additional fights on the Main Card from a betting angle.
Click here to bet on the full fight card.
SEAN STRICKLAND vs ANTHONY HERNANDEZ
Middleweight – Main Event:
Sean Strickland steps into this headline bout holding a UFC record of 16 wins and 7 losses. The American is a highly technical striker who controls distance and pace with volume punching and durable cardio.
Strickland last fought in February 2025, losing a unanimous decision to Dricus Du Plessis in a title bout. Prior to that, he had claimed decision wins over Paulo Costa and Israel Adesanya, showing he can compete with the elite of the division.
Anthony Hernandez arrives with a record of 9 wins and 2 losses under the institution. The American fighter is a dangerous finisher, capable of ending fights both standing and on the ground and it is worth noting that five of his victories have been via submission.
Hernandez comes into this contest in superb form, having last submitted Roman Dolidze in August 2025 in the fourth round, with previous notable wins including a knockout over Michel Pereira and a decision against Brendan Allen.
BETTING – click here to bet
Strickland 3.15
Hernandez 1.38
PREDICTION:
This is a classic striker versus grappler matchup. Strickland’s experience and volume striking could give him the edge but Hernandez’s finishing power on the canvas makes him dangerous. I am expecting Hernandez to take this to the floor and pick up a submission win.
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GEOFF NEAL vs UROS MEDIC
Welterweight – Main Card:
Geoff Neal enters this fight with a tally of 8 wins and 5 losses within the UFC. Neal is a heavy-handed striker with knockout power but has shown vulnerabilities against elite grapplers and more seasoned opposition.
He last fought in August 2025, suffering a first-round knockout loss to Carlos Prates, having previously defeated Rafael Dos Anjos by knockout just over a minute into the fight.
Uros Medic steps into the octagon with a record of 6 wins and 3 losses. The Serbian fighter relies on his solid striking and improving grappling. He is entertaining to watch having won all of his fights by knockout and he often gets things done early.
His last action came in November where he finished Muslim Salikhov a minute into the first round which backed up a near identical fight with Gilbert Urbina a couple of months before.
BETTING – click here to bet
Neal 1.49
Medic 2.75
PREDICTION:
Medic’s knockout power gives him the edge early on but Neal’s well-rounded game and composure should prove decisive here. I believe Neal will weather the early storm and secure a knockout in the later rounds.
DAN IGE vs MELQUIZAEL COSTA
Featherweight – Main Card:
Dan Ige comes into this clash with 12 wins and 8 losses behind him. The American is a versatile fighter with a strong submission threat and solid striking. Ige last competed in July 2025, losing a unanimous decision to Patricio Pitbull, having previously secured stoppage wins over Sean Woodson and Lerone Murphy.
Melquizael Costa holds a record of 6-2 within the organisation. The Brazilian is an explosive striker with knockout power, capable of finishing fights on the floor as well. Costa most recently fought in December 2025, stopping Morgan Charrière in the first round by knockout and continues to build momentum with a string of impressive finishes, currently on a five-fight winning run.
BETTING – click here to bet
Ige 2.75
Costa 1.47
PREDICTION:
Ige’s experience and grappling could pose problems but Costa’s striking and finishing ability make him the rightful favourite. I am expecting Costa to earn a stoppage victory inside the distance.
SUGGESTED BETS:
Strickland vs Hernandez
Hernandez by submission at 4.25
Neal vs Medic
Fighter – Method and Round of Victory: Neal by 3rd round KO at 11.00
Ige vs Costa
Costa by KO/TKO at 10.00
I have thrown some big prices into my selections and the treble of all 3 to land comes in at a massive 467.50 at the time of writing.
A more conservative play of all 3 of my selections to simply win their bouts works out to 2.98
Note: All prices are correct at the time of writing but subject to change.
