Middleweights Anthony Hernandez vs. Gregory Rodrigues squared off earlier tonight (Sat., Aug. 22, 2026) at UFC Sacramento LIVE on Paramount+ from inside the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. After a five-round war, Rodrigues was named the victor.
Hernandez pushed into the clinch right away. The two traded elbows and knees on the inside, and “Fluffy” didn’t give his opponent much room to work. Rodrigues’ defensive wrestling held up, and he targeted the body often when able to create space. A Hernandez elbow cut the face of “Robocop,” but he was generally landed the heavier blows throughout round one.
Hernandez opened the second with a fast right hand. Rodrigues denied his first takedown attempt of the round and punished the lead leg. A moment later, two low kicks from Rodrigues floored the grappler! Hernandez managed to survive and return to his feet, but he was wobbly. With his opponent stuck along the fence, “Robocop” teed off.
Another Rodrigues low kick floored him yet again, and this time, the Brazilian stepped into top position. Somehow, Hernandez survived and actually wrestled back to his feet. Unfortunately, his leg was still absolutely toast! Miraculously, “Fluffy” stormed forward in the closing seconds of the round, landing several good right hands and a takedown.
Hernandez opened round three with an immediate takedown! “Fluffy” forced his opponent to work, but “Robocop” was able to return to his feet. In the clinch, Hernandez ripped uppercuts and elbows. Rodrigues was still tough to take down, but he wasn’t throwing nearly as much in return. It was a strong rally from Hernandez, who was finding a way to stymie Rodrigues.
Rodrigues pushed forward to start round four. Even if he wasn’t fresh, “Robocop” still landed powerful punches that forced his opponent backward. Hernandez walked into a mean right hand that stunned him. The momentum fully shifted back to Rodrigues’ corner, and the low kick was chopping Hernandez down yet again. Hernandez pushed into the clinch to survive and regain some control, but the fourth was a bad frame for the hometown fighter.
The final round began with an immediate takedown attempt from Hernandez. When it failed, the two traded in the center, and Hernandez landed some nice punches upstairs. Another takedown failed, and the two traded shots in the open. Both men were landing, though a lot of the steam was missing. A Rodriguez low kick floored “Fluffy” once more, and Rodrigues was able to establish top position. He finished the round on top, attacking a twister as Hernandez tried to spin into top position.
All three judges awarded Rodrigues the decision victory.
Rodrigues fought well here to score the upset. He managed his gas tank well to catch a second wind and capture the fourth, a critical moment in a 48-47 victory. Rodrigues made his own life easier by really damaging the lead leg and body of Hernandez, leaving “Fluffy” slower and less dangerous in the later rounds.
It was hard-fought from both men, but Rodrigues walks away as the deserved victor.
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