Gregory Rodrigues wants Dricus du Plessis or Khamzat Chimaev after UFC Sacramento win: ‘Why I’m going to look back?‘

Gregory Rodrigues put on a career-best display at UFC Sacramento, defeating Anthony Hernandez via five-round unanimous decision in the main event to secure his fourth consecutive victory. The middleweight standout, who entered the event ranked No. 15, faced a significant step up in competition against the No. 5-ranked Hernandez and delivered a complete 25-minute performance that answered questions about his championship ceiling.

Rodrigues wasted no time calling out top contenders in his post-fight interview, specifically targeting former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis while also naming Khamzat Chimaev as a potential next opponent. "Dricus du Plessis, where are you, man? I want you," Rodrigues stated immediately after his victory. "Let's go. No. 1 contender to fight for the belt."

At the post-fight press conference, Rodrigues emphasized his refusal to take a step backward in competition. "Why I'm going to look back?" he said. "I just beat the No. 6 in the rankings, tough guy, and I want to go forward." He noted that the middleweight division is in flux and expressed confidence that a significant ranking jump awaits him following the dominant performance over Hernandez.

The victory improved Rodrigues' UFC record to 11-3, with seven wins coming by knockout. Going the distance against a gritty wrestler like Hernandez was significant for Rodrigues, demonstrating he can maintain dominance across all three dimensions of MMA rather than relying solely on striking power. While expressing confidence in the UFC's matchmaking process and leadership, Rodrigues indicated he would consult with his management team before finalizing his next move, content to let the promotion position him appropriately within the title picture.