Main Card Results | UFC Houston

After two rounds working well behind his sharp jab, Strickland hurt Hernandez with a knee to the midsection early in the third round, prompting “Fluffy” to fold over and backpedal towards the fence. Strickland smelled blood in the water and went on the attack, swarming Hernandez with a barrage of punches and putting him down along the fence.

This was a statement win by the former champion, who came into the week dialed in and delivered. Strickland turned in the kind of performance he frequently promises and couldn’t have done it at a better time as things at the top of the division are currently unsettled. With a win like this, he’s put himself right back into the thick of the chase.

You knew when “The Doctor” signed up to fight Geoff “Handz of Steel” Neal that there was a very strong likelihood that someone was going to sleep, and Medic made sure it was Neal, and quick. In the first real exchange between the two, Medic dropped a left hand over the top that found Neal’s temple and put him down and out in a flash.

That’s not three straight first-round knockout wins for Medic, who continues to look like a devastating force in the welterweight division. Now 5-2 since changing weight classes, the Dana White’s Contender Series grad is on an incredible run of success and should find himself in the rankings next week.

The lanky Brazilian lightweight stung Ige earlier in the contest with a front kick up the middle that made the Hawaiian back up and steady himself. They continued to trade shots and look for opportunities into the final minute of the round when Costa uncorked a spinning back kick that caught Ige just below the left eye that sent him crashing to the canvas in obvious agony. Costa pounced and the fight was halted.

That’s now consecutive first-round stoppage wins and six straight wins for “The Dalmatian,” who carried over his momentum from a four-win 2025 into his debut this year. He just became the first person to finish Ige and should have a number next to his name when the rankings update next week.

Midway through the round, Harrell shot for a takedown and put Smith on the mat, only for the Oklahoma State Cowboy to use his momentum to roll through into a crucifix position, where he promptly unloaded heavy shots that put Harrell out.

This was a third straight stoppage win for Smith, who is part of the outstanding Dana White’s Contender Series Class of ’24 and has been champing at the bit to get a marquee opportunity inside the Octagon. He called out Kevin Holland following the victory and whether that matchup materializes or not, “Cobe” should land another step up in competition next time out regardless.

Pereira got the better of things in the opening round, landing the heavier shots through the first five minutes, including putting Reese on the deck with a right hand while he was off balance. But the Texan maintained steady output throughout and had more success in the later stages of the contest, making things closer as the bout ticked towards the final horn.

Despite swinging hammers throughout and historically being finishers, the duo went the distance, with Pereira coming out on the happy side of the split decision verdict. The win halted an extended skid for the always entertaining Brazilian, who broke into the division with three straight wins and now has 10 victories inside the Octagon.