Alex Hernandez talked a big game leading up to his bout this past January with Donald Cerrone, only to be stopped by the now 36-year-old “Cowboy”. But, as the 26-year-old Hernandez gets set to face the 40-yaer-old Francisco Trinaldo on Saturday at UFC San Antonio, the lightweight insists he’s not considering his opponent’s age.

Hernandez joined the UFC last year, and after scoring wins over Beneil Dariush and Oliveir Aubin-Mercier, he was quickly tagged as a rising force in the 155 division. Accordingly, Hernandez was booked to face the longtime contender Cerrone, who proceeded to take him out in round two.

Well, while discussing his mindset recently as he gets set to face Trinaldo this Saturday, Hernadez said this (quote via MMA Junkie):

“He’s a grimy guy,” Hernandez said. “I don’t think he’s particularly pretty anywhere, but I think he’s pretty solid all around. I think he’s a pretty tough, gritty experienced. I’m not going to underestimate the age or nothing like that, I’m going to respect the fact he’s an experienced veteran.”

“The goal is still to have the belt in 2021,” Hernandez said. “I win this fight, I get two ranked opponents and I’m looking at a title shot. Especially with the way I fight and carry myself. I don’t see why we can’t stay on track.”

There you have it, and ya, Hernandez would be wise to not underestimate Trinaldo. After all, this is a man who has fought 18 times in the Octagon and has scored 13 wins. Since 2014, however, Trinaldo is 8-2, and his losses during that time came against Kevin Lee and James Vick. Most recently he quickly took out Evan Dunham, and Trinaldo’s not far removed from victories over Paul Felder and Jim Miller.

If you’re wondering about the odds, however, the betting lines have Hernandez as the favorite with odds ranging from -175 to -210.

Here is the complete line-up for Saturday’s event.

UFC on ESPN 4 Main Card (9 p.m. ET)

170 lbs.: Rafael dos Anjos vs. Leon Edwards
265 lbs.: Walt Harris vs. Aleksei Oleinik
265 lbs.: Juan Adams vs. Greg Hardy
155 lbs.: Dan Hooker vs. James Vick
155 lbs.: Alexander Hernandez vs. Francisco Trinaldo
265 lbs.: Andrei Arlovski vs. Ben Rothwell

UFC on ESPN 4 Prelims (6 p.m. ET)

145 lbs.: Alex Caceres vs. Steven Peterson
135 lbs.: Irene Aldana vs. Raquel Pennington
205 lbs.: Klidson Abreu vs. Sam Alvey
125 lbs.: Roxanne Modafferi vs. Jennifer Maia
135 lbs.: Ray Borg vs. Gabriel Silva
135 lbs.: Mario Bautista vs. Jin Soo Son
135 lbs.: Felipe Colares vs. Domingo Pilarte

Line-up via MMA Mania

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