UFC Houston Anthony Hernandez vs Sean Strickland Main Card Preview, Odds, Watch Info & FAQ

The exciting 14 fight card is set for UFC Houston tonight. All fighters made weight successfully and all bouts have been made official, marking the first smooth weigh in of the year for the UFC.

A clean weigh in paves the way for all match ups to move on expected without any weigh issues becoming a factor. The UFC has done a great job with the match ups on this card in what should be a barn burner for MMA fans across the globe.

No bigger match up then the main event, where Hernandez is looking to solidify his title shot with a win over Strickland. The bout marks a sharp contrast in styles, leaving MMA fans across the globe anticipating how the fight will play out.

The 5 fights leading up to the Main Event should be the perfect set up for such an important match up. I am here to break down every one so lets get right into a preview of the whole main card at UFC Houston tonight!

All odds presented by our Partner at LuckyRebel as of 2/21/2026 10:22 A.M

Check out the odds for the entire card at the best online sportsbooks available in the U.S.

Main Event: Anthony Hernandez vs Sean Strickland Preview – Middleweight

The highly anticipated Middleweight match up of Anthony Hernandez vs Sean Strickland will mark the finale of the card. Rising prospect Hernandez looks to earn a title shot over a top contender in Sean Strickland.

Strickland is fresh off a title loss, where he was dominated in the ground game and looked much different against Du Plessis then the first match up. In the first match up he was able to push the pace and make the decision very close.

The title loss was now a year ago, and due to a suspension we have not seen Strickland since. Strickland is a very aggressive fighter with a walk forward style, his striking is very versatile mixing his strikes from the body to the head.

There is no question Strickland tries to bully all of his opponents through pressure. Through his career Strickland has shown solid takedown defense, but Hernandez is a whole different animal in the wrestling department.

Will Hernandez Finally Earn His Title Shot?

Anthony Hernandez is riding into the match up red hot on a 8 fight winning streak. The streak and impressive fashion in which he is winning bouts, has solidified him as the #1 contender in the division.

In his last bout he made a statement to the whole middleweight division, dominating Roman Dolidze leading to a submission win. This will be a step up in competition for Hernandez, as Strickland will provide a real test in the striking department.

Furthermore Hernandez has struggled in some areas of the striking through out his career despite rounding out his game. The prospect has shown a weakness to pressure and aggressive striking in his career, that is exactly what Strickland does best.

Tonight will be the biggest test of his career by far and a solid performance over Strickland will solidify a title shot. MMA fans across the globe are highly anticipating if Hernandez will be able to secure the takedowns and cruise right past Strickland.

Anthony Hernandez vs Sean Strickland Odds:

• Moneyline: Anthony Hernandez (-240) vs Sean Strickland (+205)
• Round Total: 4.5 Total Rounds – Over (-178) / Under (+156)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Anthony Hernandez By Points (+140)

Co – Main Event: Geoff Neal vs Uros Medic Preview – Welterweight

The UFC veteran in Geoff Neal will take on Uros Medic in the Co – Main Event of the card tonight. UFC fans have not seen Neal in action since August of last year where he looked career worse and suffered a devastating KO loss.

The KO loss marked the first time he had been knocked out since 2017 and a scary sign for the 35 year old. Getting up there in age it is unclear if the Boxer has lost a step with his age.

Neal has made a career of his hard nose aggressive style. A very skilled boxer in the pocket Neal shines in boxing exchanges becoming a tough night for any opponent.

This fight week he has opened about his struggles with addiction providing a storyline behind his last 5 fights. He has lost 3 of 5 but is certain now that he is entirely clean, he will get back in the win column.

Medic is no easy fight although, and is actually carrying all the momentum in the match up. Currently riding a 2 fight winning streak with back to back impressive knockouts.

The prospect is looking to make a statement over the veteran to continue his rise in the rankings. Not being much of a wrestler in his bouts, Medic has struggled with takedowns through out his career.

The good thing is in this match up, Neal does not present much of a grappling threat. I expect Neal to give Medic exactly the fight he wants, but who will prove to be the better striker?

Geoff Neal vs Uros Medic Odds:

• Moneyline: Geoff Neal (-190) vs Uros Medic (+165)
• Round Total: 1.5 Total Rounds – Over (+140) / Under (-160)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Geoff Neal By KO (-140)

Dan Ige vs Melquizael Costa Preview – Featherweight

Long time UFC Veteran Dan Ige will make his return tonight against rising prospect Melquizael Costa. The veteran striker has been out of commission since June of last year where he lost a close decision to Patricio Pittbull.

In the loss Ige was dominated on the ground but shined in striking exchanges which has been a common theme of his career. The offensive grappling of Ige is much different then his defensive, being able to tie up his opponents & draw out a dirty boxing match.

Ige has an incredible resume over his UFC tenure, with 20 fights under his belt in the UFC. He has fought some of the top contenders in the division and provides the perfect measuring stick for the red hot Costa.

Costa has made a name for himself after stepping in on short notice at UFC 283 and earning a contract from his performance. Despite losing 2 of his first 3 fights with the promotion, the prospect has turned a corner in his career for sure.

Since he has ripped off 5 wins in a row over top competition, finishing 3 of those. The prospect is coming in to this match up riding the high of the best win of his career.

Costa landed an incredible head kick over Morgan Charriere in December, a very flashy KO. The KO was in contention for KO of the year and set Costa up for a big fight to shoot up the rankings.

Dan Ige has become some what of a gate keeper in the featherweight division. An impressive win over Ige will only solidify Costa as a top contender in order to continue his run to the title.

Dan Ige vs Melquizael Costa Odds:

• Moneyline: Dan Ige (+195) vs Melquizael Costa (-230)
• Round Total: 2.5 Total Rounds – Over (-250) / Under (+207)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Melquizael Costa By Points (-150)

Serghei Spivac vs Ante Delija Preview – Heavyweight

A match up of the big boys lies smack dab in the middle of the Main Card. Serghei Spivac will make his return to take on UFC newcomer Ante Delija.

Spivac is a dominant grappler and UFC veteran with 14 fights under the promotion. The French prospect has finished 6 of those wins, showing versatility with 3 knockouts and 3 submissions.

Unfortunately he has not been on the best run as of late, taking on murderers row in his last 5 fights. The tough stretch has resulted in a 2-3 record in his last 5, including riding a 2 fight losing skid.

The Veteran has drawn no easy match up against hard hitting UFC new comer Ante Delija. Delija may be new to the UFC but has much experience in other high level promotions as well as being the training partner of current champion Tom Aspinall.

The match up is particularly interesting as Delija is also trying to get back into the win column after a controversial loss in November. Delija had thought he won by KO but the match was then started again where he lost by KO instead.

There is no doubt the adrenaline dump of almost winning affected him in the bout. I believe his skillset is much better then shown and he will provide a great striking test for the grappler Spivac.

Serghei Spivac vs Ante Delija Odds:

• Moneyline: Serghei Spivac (+100) vs Ante Delija (-120)
• Round Total: 1.5 Total Rounds – Over (+112) / Under (-132)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Ante Delija By Points (-110)

Jacobe Smith vs Josiah Harrel Preview – Welterweight

An exciting match up will follow the opening fight of the main card. Josiah Harrel will make his long awaited debut in the UFC against top prospect Jacobe Smith.

Harrel has become quite the story within the UFC despite never making his debut. The prospect was booked on short notice fill in at UFC 290 but was forced to withdraw from after a pre-fight MRI revealed he had Moyamoya disease.

A rare and serious condition which would require brain surgery. After making a full recovery the prospect will finally make his debut almost 2.5 years later.

Harrel draws no easy match up in his debut as he takes on Surging prospect Jacobe Smith. Smith has made quite the name for himself as of late, riding a 2 fight winning streak since earning a contract on the contender series.

The hot prospect has finished all 3 of his bouts under the UFC banner and continues his rise in the rankings. The improvements in the ground game have made Smith especially dangerous, rounding out his game to show true versatility.

Harrel has shown great wrestling outside of the UFC so its safe to say it is apart of the gameplan here. MMA fans across the globe are excited to see what this fight looks like if Smith stops the takedown and forces Harrel to strike with him.

Jacobe Smith vs Josiah Harrel Odds:

• Moneyline: Jacobe Smith (-325) vs Josiah Harrel (+275)
• Round Total: 1.5 Total Rounds – Over (-180) / Under (+157)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Jacobe Smith By Points (+200)

Zach Reese vs Michel Pereira Preview – Middleweight

The Opening bout of the main card is sure to be an exciting bout between flashy fighters. Michel Pereira will make his return to the Octagon against home town prospect Zach Reese.

The Brazilian is coming off a career worse performance against Kyle Daukas where he was Knocked out early in the 1st round. Pereira now finds himself on a tough stretch of fights, riding a 3 fight losing skid.

There is no doubt Pereira has his back against the wall and is fighting for his job here. Pereira has made a career out of flashy striking, insane athletic ability and some brutal knockouts.

At 35 years old it is hard to tell if Pereira has lost focus or if age is starting to creep up. He will draw a tough match up here against submission artist and home town favorite Zach Reese.

Reese is on the complete opposite career trajectory as his opponent, winning 4 of his last 5 fights with the promotion. The prospect has garnered some hype due to his kill or be killed style.

In most fights where Reese is able to be aggressive and push the pace he finds success. In a bout with an aging and cautious veteran, he may just be able to do that.

Zach Reese vs Michel Pereira Odds:

• Moneyline: Zach Reese (+140) vs Michel Pereira (-160)
• Round Total: 1.5 Total Rounds – Over (+105) / Under (-125)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Michel Pereira By KO (+190)

UFC Houston Schedule & FAQ:

When is UFC Houston?

• UFC Houston will take place Saturday, February 21st, 2026.

Where is UFC Houston?

• UFC Houston will go down live at The Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

What time does UFC Houston start?

• UFC Houston Early Preliminary Card Start time: 5 p.m. ET
• UFC Houston Preliminary Card start time: 7 p.m. ET
• UFC Houston Main Card start time: 9 p.m. ET

How to Watch UFC Houston?

• UFC Houston Early Preliminary Card Coverage: Paramount+
• UFC Houston Preliminary Card Coverage: Paramount+
• UFC Houston Main Card Coverage: Paramount+

How to Bet on UFC Fight Houston?

• Most international and domestic sportsbooks will carry odds for a fight card of this caliber but click here for some sites and applications us bettors here at Betting News recommend for a great UFC betting experience.