Middleweight contenders to headline UFC Sacramento

Anthony Hernandez will look to return to winning ways when he faces Gregory Rodrigues in a UFC Fight Night main event on August 22 at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. The middleweight bout pits two battle-tested 185-pounders coming off contrasting recent runs.

Hernandez (15-3), known as "Fluffy," was riding an eight-fight winning streak with six finishes before a third-round stoppage loss to Sean Strickland derailed his momentum. Despite entering that matchup as a sizable favorite, Hernandez's wrestling was neutralized and he was picked apart on the feet. The setback comes as he trains with Strickland for this upcoming bout against Rodrigues.

Rodrigues (19-6), nicknamed "RoboCop," has established himself as a reliable middleweight having compiled a 10-3 UFC record. The Brazilian is currently on a three-fight winning streak, most recently knocking out Bruno Ferreira in March to avenge a 2023 loss. Rodrigues has proven his mettle through years in the trenches of the middleweight division, emerging victorious in the majority of his tough matchups. The August 22 headliner will test whether Hernandez can recapture his form or if Rodrigues' recent momentum will continue.