Gregory Rodrigues vows to be ready for Anthony Hernandez's intensity at UFC Sacramento

Gregory Rodrigues arrives at UFC Sacramento full of confidence. Currently riding a three-fight winning streak, including two first-round knockout finishes, the Brazilian faces one of the biggest challenges of his career when he takes on Anthony Hernandez on Saturday. Rodrigues will be facing an opponent known for his suffocating pressure and high-paced grappling inside the Octagon, but the Brazilian is confident he has the tools to deal with the challenge.

Gregory Rodrigues Ready for Anthony Hernandez's Intensity

Despite being about to face a relentless opponent inside the Octagon, Rodrigues doesn't seem worried about the relentless pace Hernandez usually brings into the Octagon. Instead, the Brazilian wants to rely on his striking, especially his knockout power, which has earned him 12 TKO or knockout victories in his 19 career wins.

"I want to see how his cardio holds up when I start throwing bombs at his face!" Rodrigues told Ag Fight. "That's when the story changes."

Gregory Rodrigues Trusts His All-Around Game

Although Rodrigues is often known for his striking, the Brazilian is also a jiu-jitsu black belt with a strong grappling background. He won multiple tournaments as a colored belt, including an IBJJF World Championship at purple belt, giving him confidence that he can handle Hernandez wherever the fight goes.

Rodrigues has also spent time studying Hernandez's game ahead of Saturday's matchup. The Brazilian pointed to the guillotine as one of the techniques Hernandez frequently looks for and believes he has prepared for the challenges his opponent could present. According to Rodrigues, patience and intelligence could be key to winning the fight.

"I'm a grappler, my background is in jiu-jitsu, but I'm a well-rounded fighter," Rodrigues said. "I think it's going to come down to being smart and patient. He has a guillotine that he goes for all the time, but I've studied his entire game and I have a strategy that will work."

Gregory Rodrigues Prepared for a Long Fight

Aware of the challenge that lies ahead, Rodrigues knows he could enter a matchup that demands a lot from him. Either way, the Brazilian said he is ready for a long fight, building his victory "one brick at a time" if that is what it takes to have his hand raised in Sacramento.

"It's one brick at a time, building the victory every minute, every second, with patience and staying focused," Rodrigues said. "It was one of the toughest camps I've had, and it has to be that way. I'm ready to fight all night."