Miami Deputy Luis Hernandez Lands McDonald's Sponsorship

UFC newcomer Luis Hernandez, who also serves as a Miami-Dade County sheriff's deputy, has secured a sponsorship deal with McDonald's, according to his manager Malki Kawa.

Kawa announced the agreement on Instagram and presented it as the first ever between the fast-food chain and a UFC athlete.

"Happy meal, happy deal!!! First ever deal done by @mcdonalds and an @ufc fighter in the history of combat sports!" Kawa wrote. "Congrats @luisparati on continuing to raise the bar in such a short period of time! Deal done by @firstroundmgmt and @malkik."

The 30-year-old reached the promotion through Dana White's Contender Series. He then took a fight with veteran Sedriques Dumas at UFC Vegas 121 on two days' notice and submitted him in 57 seconds, a finish that earned a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus on top of his contract pay. His record now stands at 9-0.

The day job still pays more

Hernandez has spent seven years in law enforcement, following his father into the profession, and he has no plans to leave his deputy post yet. Asked by Ariel Helwani which of his two careers earns him more, he did not pick fighting.

"Law enforcement," Hernandez said. "In the regional scene, there's no money. I lose money. I'm losing money from my career."

The steady income has mattered at home too, he added: "I was trying to get a house with my wife, and I'm blessed now to have a house."

Kawa and a fast-food precedent

Kawa has announced a fast-food tie-in before. Derrick Lewis drew the attention of Popeyes after saying at a UFC 226 press conference that Daniel Cormier "disrespected that Popeye's chicken," a jab rooted in a 2015 parody video in which Cormier sang about his love for the chain's chicken.

Kawa later wrote on X that a Popeyes in Houston had given Lewis free food for life and would put him on the menu board, "in addition to what corporate is doing."

Ahead of their UFC 230 heavyweight title fight in November 2018, a Popeyes location in Cypress, Texas, promised customers free food if Lewis beat Cormier. Lewis lost by second-round submission, and the giveaway never took place.

Source: Malki Kawa on Instagram