Anthony Hernandez carries his story on his skin. Long before he headlines UFC Fight Night 267 against former champion Sean Strickland on February 21, the UFC middleweight has been building a reputation as a grinder who thrives in deep waters. Ranked near the top of the division, ‘Fluffy’ garners attention for his relentless grappling as well as his impressive collection of tattoos adorning his body.

So what do the designs actually mean? Are they just aesthetic choices, or do they point back to the people and beliefs that shaped him? Let’s read the story behind ink and dive a little deeper!

Anthony Hernandez has an interesting chest tattoo

One of the most eye-catching tattoos Anthony Hernandez has is the one on his chest. There, he has an image of an owl, which is covered in a gold rosary and surrounded by rose flowers. Owl tattoos are often associated with witchcraft, the weather, medicine, birth, and death. However, we don’t exactly know what it means for Hernandez. Furthermore, he also has the word ‘Juana’ on his chest, which means ‘Gift from God’ or ‘Gift of God’.

The meaning of the roses with the cross often stands for a relationship an individual has with God. However, it can also represent the loss of a loved one. Anthony Hernandez also has a compass tattoo on his right arm, which originated as a common choice of tattoo amongst fishermen and sailors, representing a universal sign of fulfillment in constant travel. Now let’s take a look at another tattoo, which has an even deeper connection to the UFC star.

‘Fluffy’ has a tattoo representing his father

Anthony Hernandez has a lot of respect for his parents, especially his late father. To show his love for the patriarch, he has a tattoo on his neck that depicts his father with an Aztec headdress. Hernandez had mentioned how much influence his father had on him in building a work ethic, and as such, the tattoo was there to remind him of that exact lesson. 

Fluffy also has a tattoo on his left leg. The tattoo is of a clock, which could just represent time passing or maybe an extraordinary date or hour. A clock tattoo also symbolizes the beginning or end of something as well.

Put together, Anthony Hernandez’s tattoos don’t scream for attention. They whisper stories instead. And now, with Sean Strickland waiting under the bright lights of the Octagon, those symbols travel with him into what could be another defining moment in his career.