Roberto Hernandez will be returning to the Cage Warriors this weekend at Cage Warriors 173 in San Diego. Unfortunately, Roberto Hernandez wasn’t able to get the victory last time out. This was against Liam Gittins when he competed for the bantamweight title in Manchester on March 16th 2024. However, this weekend Hernandez will return back at featherweight to face Javier Garcia. Before he takes the trip to the octagon, Combat Sports UK was able to have a chat with Roberto Hernandez to see how he is doing before this fight.
Robert Hernandez Reflects on Liam Gittens Fight
Roberto Hernandez is coming into this fight after losing to Liam Gittens for the Cage Warriors bantamweight title. Unfortunately, Hernandez was defeated by Gittens due to a rear naked choke in the 5th round. I was able to ask Hernandez about how he thought the fight went and what he has taken from this fight to improve on. Hernandez explained;
“When I thought Liam Gittens back in March 16. I was very unprepared of the problems outside of the fight that was gonna occur. Such as lack of sleep, never really adjusted to the time zone difference and that is crucial for recovery [and] losing an extra 1.5 pounds didn’t help either. I lost on the scale to Liam Gittens. My skills are way better than that performance. But Liam came in with a good game plan. I just couldn’t adjust due to brain fog.”
This shows that even if you do prepare well for a fight and come in with a gameplan it may not be the game plan which stops you from getting the victory. Roberto wasn’t able to settle into the environment and because of the time difference that meant he wasn’t able to recover properly in between training sessions. While these may have affected this performance against Liam Gittens time difference will not be an issue for this fight. This is due to Roberto Hernandez being based in California which shares the same timezone as San Diego.
How Did Roberto Hernandez Find Fighting Enemy Territory
The fans can also play a massive role in determining a fight and Roberto Hernandez was flying over to England to take on the Englishman Liam Gittens. While Roberto Hernandez may have not settled in England with the time difference. Hernandez may have not received the most welcoming atmosphere. Speaking about the atmosphere Hernandez stated;
“To be honest roaming around Manchester. The native Manchester people asked what finds us there in the UK. I told them I’m fighting a Liam Gittins from Liverpool and they laughed and started to give me insight on how to roast them. I learned that Manchester people really do not like Liverpool natives due to the soccer rivalry. Here’s a phrase the [people] told me “Could be worse, could be scouse, eating rats in a counsel house” and also “bin dipping rat eater” I loved the atmosphere.”
This goes to show that Roberto Hernandez didn’t feel any hostility when he came over to Manchester. It seemed like Hernandez got the better of the atmosphere. This was due to the football rivalry between Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC. Even if football isn’t the focus sport it still has an impact on who the crowd will favour.
Training Camp and Future Plans
I then tried to get an insight into how the preparation has been for this fight against Javier Garcia. Speaking to Roberto Hernandez I asked him how the training camp has been and if he sees a potential Title fight or a UFC call-up happening if he can get a big victory this Friday. Talking about the training camp and future plans Hernandez explained;
“The training camp for Javier Garcia has been great. At 145 my body can push more and I feel way more stronger. We are happy with the results. With a big win over Javier Garcia. Maybe Dana White sends an invitation for the Contenders series or I get selected for the Prize Fighter tournament. If 145 title comes up due to someone getting injured and they need a replacement again. I’m your guy.”
Roberto Hernandez feels this camp is going well and he is going to put on a show for the San Diego crowd. Hernandez is returning to featherweight and is feeling a lot better for it in terms of feeling a lot stronger. Hopefully, this will show in the results and Hernandez will be able to get a stoppage victory this Friday.
Hernandez is looking for a slot in the Contenders Series with a big win however, if this is not the case he is looking into the Prize Fighter. This could potentially be back in the UK when the prize fighter comes to Glasgow, Scotland. However, he hasn’t ruled out a title fight against Harry Hardwick but believes this will be due to a last-minute replacement. This would have to happen again as Zafar Mohsen had to withdraw last time and Orlando Wilson Prince stepped in but got stopped in the 2nd round due to TKO.
What Has Roberto Hernandez Seen from Javier Garcia? Fight Prediction?
I was then able to talk to Hernandez about his opponent Javier Garcia. When speaking about Garcia I asked him if he has seen any weaknesses from Garcia he can use to his advantage. Explaining about what he has seen from Garcia Roberto Hernandez has explained;
“He doesn’t do well when he’s fighting off his back foot and we are looking to make him do that when the time is right”
Roberto Hernandez is looking to push the pace of the fight and make Javier Garcia back up to the cage letting Hernandez take the center of the octagon. Hernandez is going to push the pace this weekend and hopefully use this to his advantage to get the stoppage. Speaking about how he sees this fight playing out and what his prediction is Roberto Hernandez explained;
“Javier Garcia I believe he’s to slow and I’m going to outpace him. He does things well in the grappling area but I’m a black belt as well. I can handle all that offence he will bring to the table. I see a finish.”
Roberto Hernandez believes he will be able to get the stoppage and even if Garcia tries to use grappling to slow the pace down Hernandez will be able to control the situation. Hernandez just like Garcia is a black belt and will be able to use his ground game to either take top position or get back to the feet. Roberto believes he will outpace Garcia this Friday and get the stoppage victory.
Handling the Pressure from Fans Wanting a Highlight Reel Stoppage
Just like every fight fan, we are expecting highlight reel stoppages in every fight that happens. However, this can not be the case and fighters have to handle the pressure from fans wanting these stoppages. Fighters need victories even if it is due to a decision. This being the case they can’t go out in the first round and use all their stamina. Speaking about the pressure and how he handles it Roberto Hernandez explained;
“It’s funny because I moved down a weight in hopes of getting more finishes for the fans but instead it affected my performances in the wrong way. At 145 we are building the body up to a true 145er. People fight nobody’s and get finishes and then get a call to the Dana White’s Contender Series. I actually fight quality fighters and sometimes it’s hard to get a finish. But now I know what I have to do. People are gonna see a different Roberto “The Green Light” Hernandez this time fight.
Roberto tried to give the fans what they wanted which is finishes by moving down a weight division. This was so he would be coming in stronger than his opponents due to being a featherweight in the bantamweight division. However, Hernandez revealed it actually affected in a negative way instead. Hernandez also believes that it shouldn’t just be about finishes to get you on the contender series. However, they should consider the quality of the opposition. If Hernandez is able to get the victory this weekend he will be able to showcase his ability and give Dana White a reason to make the call.
