Hernandez eyes Du Plessis for title shot

The middleweight division in the UFC is such a dynamic place, and it seems Hernandez is keenly aware of the opportunities and challenges within it. While he was sidelined, Sean Strickland threw his name into the hat for a potential bout, and you can hear the amusement in Hernandez's voice when he talks about Strickland's antics. He acknowledges the call-out, even saying he's "game" if that's the fight the UFC wants. However, his sights seem to be set a little higher, or perhaps more strategically.
As reported by MMA Junkie, Hernandez expressed a strong preference for a fight against Dricus Du Plessis. He respects Du Plessis's accomplishments as a former champion and sees beating him as a direct path to a title shot. It’s this kind of ambition, this clear vision of where he wants to go, that makes you root for him. He mentioned that both a fight with Strickland and Du Plessis would likely get him closer to the belt, and honestly, he sounds like he'd be happy with either, ready to sign on the dotted line for whatever the matchmakers envision.
Beyond those two, the name Khamzat Chimaev also came up. Hernandez isn't shy about acknowledging Chimaev's formidable wrestling skills, calling it a "nightmare" if he gets his hands connected. He even speculated that a fight between them might be tough to watch for fans, even if competitive. It's this thoughtful, almost analytical approach to his potential opponents, coupled with his eagerness to get back in there and put on a show, that makes the prospect of Anthony Hernandez's return so exciting. What does this mean for the always-trending middleweight landscape? We'll just have to wait and see.