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Alexander Hernandez's UFC 324 bout against Michael Johnson was canceled due to betting irregularities just hours before the fight. Hernandez, now set to fight Rafa Garcia at UFC Vegas 116, calls for better protections for fighters amid the chaos.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 12: Alexander Hernandez poses on the scale during the Noche UFC ceremonial weigh-in at Frost Bank Center on September 12, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) | Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Alexander Hernandez is out of the woods, for now, but he didnāt appreciate his career being thrown into chaos for reasons beyond his control.
This past Januaryās UFC 324 event was supposed to feature Hernandez facing Michael Johnson in a battle of lightweight veterans, but the bout was shockingly pulled just hours before walkouts due to betting irregularities leading up to the fight. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the story, and Hernandez later issued a statement denying he was in any way involved with the dramatic line movement that saw Johnson quickly go from betting underdog to favorite.
Three months later, Hernandez is booked to fight Rafa Garcia at UFC Vegas 116 this Saturday and while details of the investigation remain a mystery, at the very least Hernandez is clear to compete. He was asked about the situation at media day on Wednesday and told reporters that heās relieved, but also concerned about how the whole process went down.
āI say this is uncharted territory,ā Hernandez said. āItās the first time someoneās been falsely accused of fixing a fight or doing anything like that, so itās new waters for everyone to figure out how to tread. I think there needs to be some kind of a protection over the combatants themselves. Whoās looking out for me in that case or whoever it happens to next? Because yeah, youāve got uninformed prop bet profiles, unregulated bookings, and an uneducated bureau pressing on you and no oneās protecting the individual and looking out for him.
The cancellation was due to betting irregularities that led to a dramatic shift in the betting lines just before the fight.
Hernandez was scheduled to face Michael Johnson in a lightweight bout at UFC 324.
Hernandez is set to fight Rafa Garcia at UFC Vegas 116 this Saturday.
Hernandez expressed relief about being cleared to compete but voiced concerns about the chaotic process surrounding the cancellation.

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āAnd everyoneās covering their own ass and youāre hoping to not get f*cked in yours, so yeah, itās a bit of, again, just uncertain territory for sure and there needs to be someone looking out for the fighter.ā
Without divulging any further information, Hernandez doubled down on his innocence, joking that he now knows how legendary boxer Muhammad Ali felt when he was being monitored by government agencies during his fighting career (Ali faced scrutiny for protesting the Vietnam War).
āI mean, that was a headache and a half,ā Hernandez said. āThat was a stressful five weeks. Itās good to just be on the right side of it now and praying no f*ckery takes place this week. Obviously, a little bit of tension in the air over that in the back of my mind, but yeah, Iām happy to be back. Weāre making jokes, Iāve felt the oppression of the people of the past here. Like, āBomaye, Alex Aliā or [Nelson] Mandela this week coming back from false accusations and get a chance to rise again. Iām just stoked. Iām stoked to be back in doing what I was decent at.
āIām not talking to any authorities,ā Hernandez added. āI donāt think the FBI comes out and issues any apologies, so itās hard for me to speculate on where anythingās at, but Iām in the grace of the UFC and weāre fighting. I have no fears or qualms with any bureau.ā
Heading into his fight with Garcia, Hernandez can only hope his fight week is free of any strangeness and heās able to make the walk out this time. Hernandez is currently on a four-fight win streak, the longest of his UFC career.
And if any rumors come out regarding his health, theyāre definitely not coming from him.
āIām solid,ā Hernandez said. āLet it be known to everyone. No rumor milling. I feel solid. Iām really fortunate to be healthy this camp and excited to perform. I really just want to put on a sick display. Thatās really where my headās at is just doing something artistic that Iām impressed by.ā