Connect with us

MMA

Gregory Rodrigues overcomes Anthony Hernandez in brutal five-round UFC Sacramento main event

Published

3 weeks ago

on

Gregory Rodrigues overcomes Anthony Hernandez in brutal five-round UFC Sacramento main event

Gregory Rodrigues might just be championship material after all.

The Brazilian veteran won his fourth straight fight, outstriking and outlasting Anthony Hernandez (15-4, 1 NC) in Saturday's UFC Sacramento main event en route to a unanimous decision win (49-46, 48-47 x2). With the win, Rodrigues (20-6) throws his name into the middleweight title contender mix, as he entered tonight's headliner at No. 15 at 185 pounds in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings with Hernandez defending his No. 5 (tied) spot.

Following the emotional victory, Rodrigues celebrated winning his first-ever five-round decision and called for a bout with former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis.

“Dricus du Plessis, where are you, man?†Rodrigues said in his post-fight interview. “I want you. Let's go. No. 1 contender to fight for the belt. Dricus du Plessis, I want you.â€

Rodrigues certainly put on a performance worthy of championship chatter as he overcame a vintage effort from Hernandez to secure the victory. Fighting just a short drive south of his hometown of Dunnigan, Calif., Hernandez immediately put the pressure on Rodrigues by shooting for takedowns early and often. Rodrigues showed excellent takedown defense even as Hernandez muscled him against the cage, changed levels, and changed grips to work to put Rodrigues on his back.

Despite Hernandez's attempts to smother him, Rodrigues found success in the first two rounds, doing more damage when they were separated and chopping Hernandez down with leg kicks that appeared to have Hernandez severely compromised. However, Hernandez charged back in the third, finally grounding Rodrigues, and seemingly wearing him down as he started to find his own success on the feet.

Hernandez is known for thriving in the later rounds, but on Saturday, it was Rodrigues who made the right adjustments to turn the tide back in his favor. Rodrigues' corner told him to stop backing up and he followed their advice precisely, marching forward in the fourth and forcing Hernandez to battle him in the middle of the octagon. That limited Hernandez' leverage when it came to setting up takedowns, and instead Hernandez had to trade punches with Rodrigues, a challenge he didn't shy away from.

Rodrigues sealed the deal with a strong fifth round, consistently outscoring Hernandez on the feet, despite Hernandez somehow never being rocked or knocked down by Rodrigues' on-point punches.

With the win, Rodrigues improved to 11-3 in the UFC and is knocking on the door of a title shot. Hernandez has now lost two straight fights for the first time in his career following an eight-fight win streak.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

MMA

Noche UFC 4: 'Silva vs. Delgado' Live Results and Highlights

Published

5 hours ago

on

September 12, 2026

By

Noche UFC 4: 'Silva vs. Delgado' Live Results and Highlights
Trending:

Jose Aldo set for October 4th fighting return vs. former UFC title challenger

The Octagon returns to Glendale, Arizona for tonight's Noche UFC 4 event, a 13-bout fight card headlined by Jean Silva vs. Jose Delgado.

Silva (17-3 MMA) was most previously seen in action at this past January's UFC 324 event, where he scored a unanimous decision victory over Arnold Allen. ‘Lord' has gone 4-1 over his past five fights overall, scoring stoppage victories over Drew Dober, Melsik Baghdasaryan and Bryce Mitchell during that stretch.

Meanwhile, Jose Delgado (12-2 MMA) will enter tonight's contest on a two-fight winning streak, this after scoring back-to-back decision victories over Austin Bashi and Andre Fili. Like his opponent Jean Silva, Delgado has gone 4-1 over his past five Octagon appearances, earning stoppage wins over Hyder Amil and Connor Matthews.

Noche UFC 4 is co-headlined by a men's flyweight matchup between Brandon Moreno and Joseph Morales.

(via Zuffa LLC)

Moreno (23-10-2 MMA) will enter the contest with hopes of snapping a two-fight losing skid. ‘The Assassin Baby' most previously took to the Octagon this past February, where he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Lone'er Kavanagh. That setback was preceded by a TKO loss to Tatsuro Taira at UFC 323 in December of last year. Prior to those defeats, the former flyweight champion had earned back-to-back decision wins over Amir Albazi and Steve Erceg.

Meanwhile, Joseph Morales (14-2 MMA) currently boasts a five-fight winning streak, with his most recent victory coming by way of submission over Matt Schnell this past November at UFC Vegas 111. ‘Bopo' has gone 6-2 since joining the UFC ranks in August of 2017.

Also featured on tonight's Noche UFC 4 main card lineup is a heavyweight contest between Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Curtis Blaydes.

Cortes-Acosta (17-3 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since suffering a unanimous decision loss to Alexander Volkov this past May at UFC 328. Prior to that defeat, ‘Salsa Boy' had strung together three-straight knockout victories over opponents Ante Delija, Shamil Gaziev and Derrick Lewis.

Meanwhile, Curtis Blaydes (19-6 MMA) was most previously seen in the Octagon this past April at UFC 327, where he suffered a decision loss to Josh Hokit in a FOTN performance. Prior to that setback, ‘Razor' had earned a split decision victory over Rizvan Kuniev in June of last year.

Get all of tonight's live results and highlights below (refresh for updates):

Noche UFC 4 Main Card (5pm EST on Paramount+)

145 lbs: Jean Silva vs. Jose Delgado – Silva def. Delgado via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:57 of Round 3

125 lbs: Brandon Moreno vs. Joseph Morales – Moreno def. Morales by split decision (30-27 x2, 28-29)

145 lbs: Tommy McMillen vs. Marwan Rahiki – McMillen def. Rahiki by unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 29-27)

125 lbs: Manon Fiorot vs. Alexa Grasso – Grasso def. Fiorot by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

265 lbs: Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Curtis Blaydes – Blaydes def. Cortes-Acosta by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

135 lbs: David Martinez vs. Dan Ige – Martinez def. Ige by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

Noche UFC 4 Prelims (2pm EST on Paramount+)

130 lbs: Tim Elliott vs. Edgar Chairez – Elliott def. Chairez by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

170 lbs: Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Muslim Salikhov – Bahamondes def. Salikhov by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

185 lbs: Yousri Belgaroui vs. Djorden Santos – Belgaroui def. Santos via TKO (punches) at 4:25 of Round 1

155 lbs: Drakkar Klose vs. Tommy Gantt – Gantt def. Klose via submission (reverse triangle choke) at 2:46 of Round 3

155 lbs: Rafa García vs. Rong Zhu – Zhu def. Garcia by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

145 lbs: Jessie Rosas vs. Sean King – King def. Rosas via KO (slam) at 0:36 of Round 1

125 lbs: JJ Aldrich vs. Regina Tarin – Tarin def. Aldrich by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Who are you picking to win tonight's featherweight main event between Jean Silva and Jose Delgado? Share your predictions in the comment section Penn Nation!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

Continue Reading

MMA

Noche UFC 4 Results: Brandon Moreno defeats Joseph Morales (Highlights)

Published

6 hours ago

on

September 12, 2026

By

Noche UFC 4 Results: Brandon Moreno defeats Joseph Morales (Highlights)
Trending:

Tom Aspinall issues statement on rumored UFC departure after coach's recent claims

We have you covered for all of today's Noche UFC 4 results, including the men's flyweight co-main event between Brandon Moreno and Joseph Morales.

Moreno (24-10-2 MMA) will enter the contest with hopes of snapping a two-fight losing skid. ‘The Assassin Baby' most previously took to the Octagon this past February, where he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Lone'er Kavanagh. That setback was preceded by a TKO loss to Tatsuro Taira at UFC 323 in December of last year. Prior to those defeats, the former flyweight champion had earned back-to-back decision wins over Amir Albazi and Steve Erceg.

Meanwhile, Joseph Morales (14-3 MMA) currently boasts a five-fight winning streak, with his most recent victory coming by way of submission over Matt Schnell this past November at UFC Vegas 111. ‘Bopo' has gone 6-2 since joining the UFC ranks in August of 2017.

Round one of tonight's Noche UFC 4 co-main event begins and Brandon Moreno comes out quickly. He leaps into the pocket and attacks the body. Joseph Morales responds with a jab and then a low kick. Moreno with a combination. Morales looks to counter with a knee that just misses the mark. ‘Bopo' with a nice combination. He throws a head kick which partially connects to the head of Moreno. ‘The Assassin Baby' circles, but Morales shoots in and scores a takedown. Brandon scrambles up to his feet. The fighters trade shots in the pocket to close out round one.

Round two begins and both men come out quickly. An accidental groin kicks spells a brief stoppage in the action. We restart and the flyweight's start exchanging shots. Joseph Morales lands with a nice spinning back fist. Now a 1-2. The former champ is getting outworked here. Morales with a nice uppercut. Moreno looks to return fire, but his counter shots miss their mark. He attempts a rolling thunder, but it was nowhere near close.

The third and final round of the Noche UFC 4 co-headliner begins and both men are active early. Morales looks for a takedown. Moreno defends. The fighters clinch. ‘The Assassin Baby' gets hold of a body lock and is able to drag his opponent to the canvas. Moreno working some short shots from top position. He may be setting up a submission here. Morales keeping busy from off his back. Brandon Moreno continues to maintain top position. The fight will go to decision.

Official Noche UFC 4 Results: Brandon Moreno def. Joseph Morales by split decision (30-27 x2, 28-29)

Who would you like to see Moreno fight next following his split decision victory over Morales this evening in Arizona? Share your thoughts in the comment section Penn Nation!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

Continue Reading

MMA

Noche UFC 4 Results: Curtis Blaydes defeats Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Published

7 hours ago

on

September 12, 2026

By

Noche UFC 4 Results: Curtis Blaydes defeats Waldo Cortes-Acosta
Trending:

Tom Aspinall issues statement on rumored UFC departure after coach's recent claims

We have you covered for all of today's Noche UFC 4 results, including the heavyweight bout between Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Curtis Blaydes.

Cortes-Acosta (17-4 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since suffering a unanimous decision loss to Alexander Volkov this past May at UFC 328. Prior to that defeat, ‘Salsa Boy' had strung together three-straight knockout victories over opponents Ante Delija, Shamil Gaziev and Derrick Lewis.

Meanwhile, Curtis Blaydes (20-6 MMA) was most previously seen in the Octagon this past April at UFC 327, where he suffered a decision loss to Josh Hokit in a FOTN performance. Prior to that setback, ‘Razor' had earned a split decision victory over Rizvan Kuniev in June of last year.

Round one of tonight's Noche UFC 4 main card heavyweight matchup begins and both men are showing a lot of respect to start. Waldo Cortes-Acosta is clearly trying to keep his distance to avoid the ‘Razor' takedown. Blaydes staying measured and not taking any risks. He finally closes the distance and gets in on a takedown. Some control time for Curtis Blaydes but not much offense. Waldo gets up to his feet. Again a lot of respect being shown. Blaydes with a nice shot late. We head to round two.

Round two was a better round for Waldo Cortes-Acosta. He landed the better shots and prevented being taken back down to the ground by Blaydes. ‘Razor' was able to get off some good low kicks, but it likely wasn't enough to take the round.

The third and final round begins and this is quickly going down as one of the most boring fights in heavyweight history. Which is really saying something. Neither man is willing to take any risks. Both men also appear to be slowing down as well. Blaydes looking to find a home for an overhand right. He drops down and shoots for a takedown and gets it. Curtis Blaydes is doing a good job of controlling position while landing some short shots from top position. This fight will go to decision.

Official Noche UFC 4 Results: Curtis Blaydes def. Waldo Cortes-Acosta by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Who would you like to see Blaydes fight next following his victory over Cortes-Acosta this evening in Arizona? Share your thoughts in the comment section Penn Nation!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending