UFC books cop vs. criminal clash as last-minute replacement fight

UFC Fight Night 289 now has perhaps its most intriguing fight thanks to injury.

With Mickey Gall out, recent Dana White's Contender Series contract winner Luis Hernandez is stepping in on two days' notice to fight Sedriques Dumas in a light heavyweight bout Saturday at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. The sudden intrigue around the second preliminary bout on the card stems not from what Hernandez (8-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) and Dumas (10-5 MMA, 3-5 UFC) have done in the cage, but rather the built-in storyline by what they do outside of it.

Hernandez, 30, is a Miami-Dade (Fla.) Sheriff's Office deputy. Dumas, 31, has a long record of being arrested 14 times in Escambia County (Fla.) since 2014, including three prior convictions of domestic battery (2015), loitering or prowling (2016), and driving with a suspended license (2021), as well as pleading no contest to possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon and possession of marijuana over 20 grams in a home invasion against his ex-girlfriend (2025).

UFC 'matchmakers knew exactly what they were doing'

The pairing of a cop vs. career criminal was not lost on fight fans, who took to social media to laud UFC matchmakers for making the fight after the injury to Gall created an opening.

"OH MY GOD THEY DID COP VS. FELON," wrote one X user.

"Matchmakers knew exactly what they were doing with this lmao," wrote another X user.

Perhaps not a surprise, there's a strong show of support for Hernandez, with fans curious to see if the cop will use excessive force on Dumas in the cage.

"Oh wow!! This is amazing," wrote an X user. "Hopefully Luis gets a KO win and takes home some easy $. Easily one of the more exciting fighters right now. No way he’s losing to a real criminal."

UFC Vegas 121: Hernandez vs. Dumas preview

When it comes to the matchup itself, Hernandez will make his UFC debut with all the momentum after earning his contract with a second-round submission just 11 days ago on Sept. 15 at DWCS 92. All eight of his fights since turning pro in 2021 have been stoppage wins.

Dumas was released by the UFC following his 2025 conviction but eventually was welcomed back. A former Contender Series winner, Dumas will enter UFC Fight Night 289 on a four-fight winless streak that includes one no contest.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC books cop vs. criminal clash as last-minute replacement fight