Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight scrappers Olivier Aubin-Mercier and Alexander Hernandez battled last night (July 28, 2018) at UFC on FOX 30 inside Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Aubin-Mercier’s recent performances — which includes his first knockout stoppage inside the Octagon — have been the best of his young career, and his current win streak earned him a shot at a ranked fighter. He just happened to draw Hernandez, who may be ranked but is still something of an unknown due to just a single win inside the Octagon. Aubin-Mercier was more proven and Hernandez higher ranked — both men had something big to gain by taking out the other.
Hernandez opened the fight with aggression, showing off his speed early with fast hands. Aubin-Mercier remained calm, moving away from his strikes and looking to clinch. Hernandez defended the initial attempt, but Aubin-Mercier landed some good shots before a second attempt to gain the clinch.
This time, it was Hernandez who landed some big shots off the break, and he transitioned into his own failed takedown. Despite some strong counter left hands from his Canadian foe, Hernandez kept the pressure on his opponent, throwing in combinations before ducking into the takedown.
Hernandez won the round through effort and activity — including a nice late takedown — but he definitely spent a lot of energy in the process.
Nevertheless, Hernandez did not let his foot off the gas in the second, landing a brief early takedown. Not long after, however, Hernandez took a sloppy shot, which saw Aubin-Mercier take top position. Hernandez tried to counter by transitioning into an immediate single leg, but Aubin-Mercier used a crucifix and kimura to maintain top position brilliantly.
After about a minute of control from the Canadian, Hernandez was able to return the favor and reverse him. A very fast referee stand up brought the fight into the clinch, where neither man took advantage until Hernandez released a flurry of shots.
Hernandez finished the round after scoring half a takedown, landing light shots and arguably stealing back the round.
“The Great” may have been fatigued in the third, but he did not let that affect his pace in any way, driving forward with more combinations and dumping Aubin-Mercier with a takedown. His top control was uneventful, but Aubin-Mercier had just two and half minutes to work following the referee stand up.
Instead, Hernandez countered a takedown and regained top position right away. Finally, Aubin-Mercier was able to stand and land his own takedown along the fence but he seemed to be looking for a leg lock, which allowed Hernandez to spin around and take his back.
Hernandez finished the fight in that position, making it clear he was the better man after 15 minutes of action.
A 42-second knockout is great and all, but it doesn’t tell us a lot about a fighter. Hernandez’s complete, three-round decision win over Aubin-Mercier may not have been as flashy, but it really proved that Hernandez is a contender and prospect to take seriously. The 25-year-old has a lot of technical skill, but it’s amplified by his ability to push a brutal pace.
Part of the reason it was impressive is that Aubin-Mercier fought well. He tried to pick counter shots and slow Hernandez in the clinch — smart work. Despite that, Hernandez was able to largely maintain his pressure and slowly break Aubin-Mercier, who could not outlast his young foe even while conserving energy.
Fast punches, pressure, and quality wrestling are a dangerous combination in any division.
As for the Canadian, he was never able to get going. There was nearly a tipping point in the second when Aubin-Mercier reversed a sloppy takedown attempt, but he was too tired to do much with his top position. That was his chance, and when Aubin-Mercier failed to do any damage or take a dominant position, Hernandez managed to recover and work back into top position.
Otherwise, Hernandez just out-hustled him.
Last night, Alexander Hernandez proved himself a very real contender. What’s next for ‘The Great?’
For complete UFC on FOX 30 “Alvarez vs. Poirier 2” results and play-by-play, click HERE!