UFC's Hernandez speaks out after being 'falsely accused' of fight-fixing

LAS VEGAS – Alexander Hernandez thinks he got left alone to hold the bag of public perception after his UFC 324 fight with Michael Johnson was canceled due to suspicious betting activity.

UFC CEO Dana White said after the January event that he refused to take any chances when the promotion's betting integrity service partner flagged unusual odds movement for the lightweight fight between Hernandez and Johnson.

Johnson was booked just six weeks later against a new opponent at UFC 326, and only Saturday will Hernandez (18-8 MMA, 10-7 UFC) get back in the octagon when he takes on Rafa Garcia (18-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) in a lightweight bout at UFC Fight Night 274 from Meta APEX (Paramount+).

"That was a headache-and-a-half, dude," Hernandez told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday's media day. "That was a stressful five weeks, and it's good to be on the right side of it now, and I pray no f*ckery takes place this week. Obviously, a little tension in the air and have that in the back of my mind. I'm happy to be back. I felt the oppression of people in the past here. … Coming back from false accusations and getting to rise again. I'm stoked to be back in and do what I'm best at."

Hernandez, 33, said he is "not talking to any authorities" about the situation and did not have any clarification about whether any investigation is ongoing. No statement has been made clearing his name other than the UFC booking him for a new fight, and Hernandez said it's unfortunate that, so far, he's the only one generating awareness that he did nothing wrong.

"I don't think the FBI comes out and issues any apologies, so it's hard for me to speculate on where things are at," Hernandez said. "But I'm in the grace of the UFC, and we're fighting. I have no fears or qualms with any bureau. ... This is uncharted territory because it's the first time someone has been falsely accused of fixing a fight or something like that, so it's 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. Who's looking out for me in that case, or whoever it happens to next? You've got uninformed prop bet profiles, unregulated bookies and uneducated bureau oppressing on you, and no one is protecting the individual and looking out for him. And everyone is covering their own ass, and you're hoping to not get f*cked in yours. It's a bit of uncertain territory."