Luis Hernandez is starting to generate buzz following his win last Sunday. While securing a submission victory, he taunted his opponent’s corner, provoking a heated reaction that led to a physical altercation. The corner included none other than UFC veterans Chris Curtis and Sean Strickland, which only added fuel to the fire.

https://twitter.com/Grabaka_Hitman/status/1939442065319805405

That moment made me take a closer look at Hernandez as a prospect and assess where he might be headed in the sport.

Hernandez comes from a wrestling background, having competed in high school while simultaneously training in MMA and preparing for a career in law enforcement. He now balances life as an undefeated professional fighter and a deputy sheriff in Miami, Florida.

Inside the cage, Hernandez brings aggression, power, and physicality. He’s never seen the scorecards — not as a pro or even during his 5-0 amateur run — finishing all his fights inside two rounds. He doesn’t get paid by the minute, and he fights like it.

On the feet, Hernandez is a powerful southpaw who does most of his work from the left side. He throws a sharp straight left and a dangerous rear head kick. He’s more layered in the clinch, where he’ll fire off elbows and strike effectively to set up his wrestling.

Speaking of which, I believe Hernandez’s wrestling is his strongest tool. He times his entries well and chains his takedowns smoothly. Physically, he’s strong — once he gets his hands locked, he can dump opponents with authority. On the ground, he’s aggressive, mixing heavy ground-and-pound with submission threats. In mount, his strikes are especially punishing.

However, there are technical concerns. His positional awareness isn’t always sharp, and he often relies on brute strength rather than efficient technique. He rarely uses body triangles and tends to squeeze his way through submissions rather than set them up with precision.

Offensively, he’s effective — but predictable. He tends to do the same things every fight, and while he’s hard to stop when charging forward, eventually, someone will use smart footwork to make him fight on their terms. Defensively, his takedown defense is questionable. He’s been taken down by lesser opponents, even early in fights, which raises red flags.

He’s also yet to be tested. We haven’t seen him pushed, forced to fight from behind, or dragged into deep waters. With his muscular build, there are valid concerns about how his cardio holds up under sustained pressure.

That said, I’d like to see Hernandez get a Contender Series shot. “The Stache” has the look, a kill-or-be-killed fighting style, and a brash, arrogant personality that could get people talking.

As of now, I don’t see him as UFC-ready. He’s still untested and limited in several key areas. But with the right matchups and some development, he could become a fighter worth keeping an eye on.