RECAP: UFC Fight Night Strickland Vs. Hernandez

After a week of no UFC, this fight card really made up for the lost time! Scroll down for our favorite fights from this card.

Tom's Fight of the Night: Njokuani vs. Leal

Getty Images - UFC

A kickboxer versus a brawler is my favorite type of matchup, and this one did not disappoint. Njokuani (right) showcased his technical offensive striking and solid defense. However, he struggled to find his rhythm due to Leal's relentless forward pressure and his body-head-body combinations.

Njokuani opened the fight as expected from a high-level kickboxer. He chopped at the legs and delivered heavy body kicks. Meanwhile, Leal had a simpler but dangerous mission: he aimed to take Njokuani's head off every time they exchanged.

As the fight progressed, I noticed the cumulative effect of those kicks. Leal’s legs began to show clear signs of damage, and I could feel the momentum shifting. Still, the pressure and volume Leal maintained throughout the fight earned him the unanimous decision win.

In my very non-fighter, spectator opinion, if this had been a five-round fight, I could easily see Njokuani taking the last two rounds and potentially flipping the outcome. The tide felt like it was turning! That said, this was one of those fights where I genuinely did not care who got their hand raised. It was high-level, violent, technical, and full of heart. As a fan of the sport, that is really all you can ask for!

Smith vs. Harrell - Someone's 0 Had to Go

UFC Ceremonial Weigh-ins

Both fighters entered this matchup with perfect records of 11-0. You could tell by the way they started the fight that neither planned to taste defeat that night. This fierce determination likely contributed to the fight's quick conclusion.

The ending sequence featured Josiah Hall (right) shooting for a double leg, which was slightly defended. He quickly transitioned into a successful outside trip. As soon as they hit the ground, Jacobe Smith reversed the momentum and ended up on top in side control. He finished the fight with a barrage of elbows and punches. Smith won by KO in the first round. Although the fight was short, that ending sequence was pure heart and skill. It’s definitely a fight worth watching if you haven't already!

Ige vs. Costa – Ige Stopped for the First Time

Getty Images - UFC

I was genuinely surprised when this fight ended in the first round. I had assumed it would go the distance and be the fight of the night. But that’s the beauty of mixed martial arts; you never know what will happen!

The fight started as I expected, with both fighters trading early and landing clean shots. Dan Ige (left) brought his trademark nonstop pressure and cardio, constantly moving forward and forcing exchanges. In the last seconds of the first round, Costa shocked everyone with a spinning back kick to Ige's face, dropping him. You could see the pain on Ige's face from that kick as Costa finished him off with a few remaining punches before the referee stopped the fight for a TKO win.

What I thought would be a drawn-out war turned into a highlight-reel finish in mere seconds! That unpredictability is exactly why this sport never gets old.

Tom's KO of the Night – Neal vs. Medic

UFC

Even though this was another quick one, if you were paying attention to the buildup, you probably sensed it wouldn’t last long.

Geoff Neal (right) came in with something to prove. He has always exuded quiet confidence, but this felt different. On the other side, Medic is one of the DW Contender Series veterans who fights like he has something to prove. That combination rarely leads to a slow start. There was almost no feeling-out process. They met in the pocket early and began trading like neither man intended to take a backward step. It was sharp, tense, and felt like it could end at any moment!

Eventually, Medic got the better of the final exchange. He found the opening and landed a brutal left hook right on Neal's temple. Neal was out before he even hit the canvas. One clean shot, perfectly placed, and the fight was over.

Sometimes these quick finishes feel anticlimactic. This one did not! It felt inevitable. When two fighters with that kind of intent collide, it’s only a matter of who lands first.

Train Like the Fights You Watch

If you love watching fights like these, why stop at being a spectator?

Train like the fighters you watch!

There is a different level of respect and understanding that comes from actually stepping on the mats. Learning the techniques, feeling the pace, and realizing just how technical and demanding this sport really is can be transformative. Watching MMA is exciting, but practicing it gives you a whole new appreciation for every exchange, scramble, and finish.

If you're ready to take that step, come check us out at MTK Gym in North Hollywood and Glendale! Whether you are a complete beginner or someone looking to sharpen your skills, this is where you turn passion into practice. Learn real striking, grappling, conditioning, and fight IQ from the ground up.

Go from watching mixed martial arts to living it. Build your skills. Build your confidence. Build a deeper knowledge of the sport you already love.

See What We're About