MMA
Gregory Rodrigues overcomes Anthony Hernandez in brutal five-round UFC Sacramento main event
Published
2 months agoon
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.
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UFC 333 prop odds: Krylov-Yakhyaev favored for fastest finish
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Arman Tsarukyan attacks Dillon Danis igniting near riot at RAF 14 press conference
Published
16 hours agoon
October 22, 2026
Arman Tsarukyan was clarly not amused by Dillon Danis' choice of apparel at the RAF 14 press conference on Thursday.
After exchanging plenty of trash talk in a calm manner, Danis stood to show off his t-shirt when asked what he was wearing. Danis, who is never short on controversy, revealed he was wearing a customized shirt featuring Tsarukyan's teammate and friend Khamzat Chimaev.
“It says Khamzat's my bitch,†Danis responded. “And it has a picture with him without a beard.â€
A second later, Tsarukyan stood from his seat and charged at Danis looking to either silence the always outspoken grappling veteran or perhaps to take the shirt off him.
Whatever the reason, Tsarukyan's mad dash at Danis ignited a huge brawl as dozens of people charged the stage either in support of the fighters or security trying to keep them separated.
The melee nearly tore down the stage as RAF officials attempted to gain control of the situation with Danis and Tsarukyan looking for punches rather than takedowns.
When RAF officials finally gained control of the situation, the stage was cleared for the customary faceoffs but needles to say Tsarukyan and Danis did not appear again.
Tsarukyan and Danis meet in the RAF 14 main event on Friday, which kicks off at 9 p.m. ET with full coverage on MMA Fighting.
At the UFC 333 press conference, the top four fighters in Saturday's event will answer questions from the media Thursday morning.
In the main event, UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski faces Movsar Evloev. UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan squares off against Merab Dvalishvili in the co-main event.
The UFC 333 press conference is expected to begin at 9 a.m. ET.
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