Gregory Rodrigues Set to Face Anthony Hernandez in UFC Sacramento Main Event
The Brazilian middleweight will look to extend his winning streak against one of the division's top-ranked contenders.
Gregory Rodrigues has his next assignment. The Brazilian middleweight is set to headline UFC Fight Night 285 against Anthony Hernandez on Aug. 22 in Sacramento in a matchup that could have major implications in the middleweight title picture.
Gregory Rodrigues Gets Another Main Event Opportunity
The UFC has announced that Gregory Rodrigues will face Anthony Hernandez in the main event of UFC Fight Night 285, scheduled for Aug. 22 in Sacramento, California. The matchup features two top-10 middleweights looking to strengthen their position in the division's title race.
Riding a three-fight winning streak, including two first-round knockout victories, Rodrigues enters the bout with plenty of momentum. The Brazilian has climbed to No. 9 in the UFC middleweight rankings and will be returning to the main event spotlight for the first time since facing Jared Cannonier in February 2025, when he suffered a fourth-round TKO loss.
Anthony Hernandez Looks to Bounce Back
Hernandez, meanwhile, will look to rebound after suffering a TKO loss to middleweight champion Sean Strickland in February. Before that setback, the American had put together an impressive eight-fight winning streak, earning victories over Brendan Allen, Michel Pereira and former multiple-time jiu-jitsu world champion Rodolfo Vieira. He currently sits at No. 7 in the division's rankings.
The matchup presents an intriguing clash of styles. Rodrigues is one of the division's most dangerous knockout artists, with 12 of his 19 professional victories coming by knockout. Hernandez, meanwhile, is known for his relentless pressure and grappling-heavy approach, having submitted nine opponents throughout his MMA career.
The winner of this bout could move into position for a potential title eliminator.
UFC Returns to Sacramento
UFC Fight Night 285 will also mark the promotion's return to Sacramento. The organization last held an event in the California capital in July 2019, when Germaine de Randamie defeated Aspen Ladd via TKO in just 16 seconds of the opening round.
