Anthony Hernandez doesn’t look like someone you’d expect to be called “Fluffy.” The UFC middleweight is ranked no. 4 in the division, chews through opponents with pressure grappling, and now headlines UFC Fight Night 267 against former champion Sean Strickland on February 21.

And yet, the name sticks. In a sport where fighters pick nicknames meant to scare you before the cage door even shuts, Hernandez walks in with something that sounds pulled from a Harry Potter joke and not because he loved the three-headed dog from the series! So where did “Fluffy” really come from? And how did a joke turn into a brand that now headlines main events? Let’s uncover the mystery behind the moniker!

Why is Anthony Hernandez called ‘Fluffy’?

The story of Hernandez’s nickname began with a bit of fat shaming, aimed at motivating him. It was a time when he was preparing for a kickboxing tournament. But he weighed around 250 pounds. His former coach had to do something, and he came up with the tag ‘Fluffy’. He even put the tag on Hernandez’s arm with a marker. Of course, the Californian mixed martial artist believed that it was a bit messed up. But it was also something that stuck with him in his MMA journey.

Talking to ESPN about the story of his moniker, Hernandez said, “Apparently I earned mine being a fat a–. It’s f—– up. But it worked out. No one likes losing to a guy named ‘Fluffy.’ So I’ll take it.” It sure feels like a nickname that one would give to his or her romantic interest. But for Hernandez, it stuck because it was catchy and different. He continued, “It’s easy to remember. It’s catchy. No one expects it.”

What began as a joke has now become a part of Hernandez’s identity. But this is not the only thing that has made Hernandez so different from the crowd. Join us as we traverse through some of the other unknown facts about the middleweight contender. 

Other unknown facts about Anthony Hernandez

‘Fluffy’ was born in Dunnigan, a small town with a population of less than 1500 people. Of course, the small town couldn’t keep him in as Hernandez began to grow up. And it was the vast world of mixed martial arts that welcomed him with open arms. It was as if he was made for fighting. His debut under the banner of West Coast FC witnessed that he had the ability to punch his way to victory in under a minute. And the next 4 bouts in GKO saw him win by guillotine chokes, all in the first round. 

Hernandez is also one of the only 8 men who have won the LFA middleweight championship. Training at the MMA Gold Fight Team in El Dorado Hills, California, has gotten him the golden chance to get some breathtaking wins. But did you know that he almost gave his opponent at DWCS 2 a walkthrough? Well, he absolutely destroyed his opponent, Jordan Wright, in the first 40 seconds of their bout. But their bout was overturned to a no-contest because ‘Fluffy’ failed a test for marijuana. Nevertheless, the UFC still got him a contract. 

Fast forward to now, and Hernandez sits near the top of the middleweight ladder. He was scheduled to fight Reinier de Ridder in 2025, but withdrew with an injury. Instead, he now gets a bigger stage: a main event against Sean Strickland on February 21. That’s a different level of spotlight.

So here’s the real question: does the nickname still fit? Or has “Fluffy” become ironic on purpose? In a division full of killers, Hernandez walks in with a smile and a name that sounds harmless. Then he drags you into deep water and makes you work for air, and maybe that’s the point!