Anthony Hernandez leans on Sean Strickland’s camp after setback as UFC Sacramento main event nears

UFC fighter Anthony Hernandez is spending time in the gym with Sean Strickland as he prepares for his UFC Sacramento main event on Fight Night 285, according to a report from Yahoo Sports. The pairing is notable for what it suggests about the moment, with Hernandez working side-by-side with the man who recently beat him while trying to move past the previous result and reestablish momentum.

In the lead-up to the event, the story frames Hernandez’s approach as practical rather than personal. Hernandez is described as putting ego aside, treating the training environment as a chance to pressure-test his reads and execution in a controlled setting, even with Strickland’s perspective and experience from their most recent UFC interaction.

Strickland, a widely known striker with a reputation for assertive pressure, angles, and durable fight-week preparation, brings a certain style to any sparring partner’s work. For Hernandez, the reported benefit is less about copying a game plan and more about refining responses. That includes how he settles after exchanges, how he manages distance, and how he handles situations when the opponent’s rhythm changes quickly.

UFC Fight Night events carry their own internal urgency because they often funnel attention toward a single top-billed bout. With Hernandez listed as the main event focus in Sacramento, the pressure becomes twofold: perform in front of a live gate and television audience, and also demonstrate that the setback has produced adjustment rather than regression. Hernandez’s decision to keep training with Strickland underscores an attempt to turn the next camp into a clean, measurable reset.

The timing also matters for how a fighter structures the final weeks of a camp. In the last stretch, elite preparation typically emphasizes decision-making under fatigue, timing in clinch-to-strike transitions, and clarity about what is safe versus what is risky. Training with a high-level, immediately relevant partner can sharpen those instincts, especially when it is framed as “getting back on track” rather than simply maintaining fitness.

What to watch next is how Hernandez’s approach looks when the fight begins, particularly in the early minutes where fighters often either confirm their plan or abandon it. If the camp focus produces sharper starts and better control of pace, it may indicate that the “ego aside” work has translated into calmer execution. If he is still chasing answers, it could suggest that the tactical gap from the prior fight remains. Either way, UFC Sacramento is positioned as a clear measuring stick for his rebound.

For now, the best-supported takeaway from the reporting is that Hernandez is actively building his preparation around high-level training partners, including Strickland, and is treating the next bout as an opportunity to reassert himself after a loss. The rest, including how styles clash on the feet and how each fighter adapts mid-round, will be decided only once the Octagon begins rolling in Sacramento.