Gregory Rodrigues overcomes Anthony Hernandez. Gregory Rodrigues walks away with his fourth consecutive victory, improving his UFC record to 11-3. The UFC returns to Sacramento on Saturday, August 22, for a Fight Night card headlined by a dangerous middleweight showdown between Anthony Hernandez and Gregory Rodrigues inside the Golden 1 Center
Anthony Hernandez enters the UFC Sacramento main event looking to rebound from the first loss of his current run. Before that setback, Hernandez puts together an impressive eight-fight unbeaten streak, establishing himself as one of the middleweight division’s toughest pressure fighters. Hernandez’s most recent victory comes against Roman Dolidze at UFC Fight Night in August 2025. Hernandez controls the fight with his relentless grappling and eventually secures a rear-naked choke in the fourth round, earning a Performance of the Night bonus.
Before Dolidze, Hernandez defeats Brendan Allen by unanimous decision in February 2025 and stops Michel Pereira via fifth-round TKO in October 2024. He also submits Roman Kopylov with a second-round rear-naked choke at UFC 298.
However, Hernandez’s momentum comes to an end against Sean Strickland on February 21, 2026. Strickland stops him via third-round TKO, handing Hernandez his first defeat since 2019. Now, Hernandez looks to bounce back and start another run toward the top of the middleweight division.
Rodrigues arrives in Sacramento with considerably stronger recent momentum. The Brazilian has won four of his last five fights, including three consecutive victories heading into the Hernandez matchup. His most recent outing produces one of his biggest statements. At UFC 326 in March 2026, Rodrigues faces Brunno Ferreira for the second time and flattens him with a first-round knockout at 1:47, earning a Performance of the Night bonus. Before that, Rodrigues defeats Roman Kopylov by unanimous decision at UFC 322 in November 2025. He also scores a spectacular first-round knockout over Jack Hermansson at UFC 317 in June 2025. Rodrigues’ recent run does include one major setback. Jared Cannonier stops him via fourth-round TKO in February 2025 in a fight that earns Fight of the Night honors. Rodrigues responds by winning his next three fights and rebuilding his momentum heading into his showdown with Hernandez.
Hernandez immediately closes the distance and presses Rodrigues against the fence, looking for a trip take-down. Rodrigues defends the attempt and works his way back to the center. Hernandez continues applying pressure and shoots for a single-leg, but Rodrigues stuffs the attempt again. When they return to striking range, Rodrigues begins finding his rhythm, landing the cleaner punches. A sharp right hand from Rodrigues catches Hernandez and forces him to reset. Hernandez continues pushing forward, but Rodrigues’ counterstriking gives him the edge. Hernandez eventually attempts another take-down, but Rodrigues answers with elbows and forces him to abandon the shot. Hernandez cuts Rodrigues with an elbow,
Hernandez comes forward again, determined to turn the fight into a grappling battle. He repeatedly looks for take downs, but Rodrigues continues to defend and punish the entries. Rodrigues starts attacking Hernandez’s lead leg with damaging kicks while mixing in straight punches and combinations. The leg kicks begin to affect Hernandez’s movement and make it harder for him to close the distance. Hernandez manages to create some clinch exchanges, but Rodrigues refuses to stay trapped against the fence for long. He continues to find openings with his hands and legs whenever they separate.
The Brazilian’s striking output and take-down defense keep him ahead as the fight moves into the third round.
Hernandez refuses to slow down and finally finds more success with his relentless pressure. He pushes Rodrigues backward, mixes his punches with take-down attempts and forces the Brazilian into extended grappling exchanges. Hernandez’s pace begins to create problems, and he puts together some of his best moments of the fight. Rodrigues continues firing back, but Hernandez’s pressure gives him more control of the round. After two rounds of struggling to establish his wrestling, Hernandez finally makes the fight look more like the battle he wants.
Rodrigues makes an important adjustment. Instead of allowing Hernandez to dictate the pace, he takes the fight back to the feet and begins landing heavy strikes. His leg kicks continue to damage Hernandez’s mobility, while his punches force Hernandez to think twice about rushing forward. Hernandez keeps shooting for take downs, but Rodrigues continues stuffing the attempts. Rodrigues begins to pull away again as his striking takes over. He lands clean combinations and repeatedly targets Hernandez’s compromised leg. By the end of the round, Rodrigues has regained control of the fight.
Hernandez enters the final round knowing he needs something big. He pushes forward and continues searching for take downs, but Rodrigues remains composed. The Brazilian keeps his distance, fires leg kicks and lands clean punches whenever Hernandez enters range. Hernandez refuses to quit and continues pressing until the final minutes. He lands some offense and keeps trying to force Rodrigues into grappling exchanges, but Rodrigues’ take-down defense remains solid. The Brazilian closes the fight strongly, maintaining his striking advantage and preventing Hernandez from finding the finish he needs. After 25 minutes, the judges award Rodrigues the fight 49-46, 48-47 and 48-47.
Following the emotional victory, Rodrigues celebrated winning his first-ever five-round decision and called for a bout with former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. “Dricus du Plessis, where are you, man?” Rodrigues said in his post-fight interview. “I want you. Let’s go. No. 1 contender to fight for the belt. Dricus du Plessis, I want you.”
For Hernandez, the result marks his second straight loss after an eight-fight unbeaten run. Despite the defeat, he shows tremendous toughness and keeps pushing Rodrigues through all five rounds. Rodrigues’ victory is built on one thing above all else: he refuses to let Hernandez’s wrestling dictate the fight. He stuffs more than 20 take-down attempts and uses his leg kicks and boxing to steadily wear down the hometown favorite
