Anthony Hernandez will try to get his middleweight title charge back on track this weekend.
‘Fluffy’ is fighting for the first time since Sean Strickland ended his eight-fight win streak in February.
Gregory Rodrigues will welcome Anthony Hernandez back to the Octagon at UFC Sacramento on Saturday night.
Who’ll win their five-round main event matchup? Let’s get some predictions from the Bloody Elbow staff writers.
INFO: UFC Sacramento preview: Start time, full card and how to watch Anthony Hernandez vs Gregory Rodrigues
Who will win the UFC Sacramento main event?
Jordan Ellis: “I’ve got a very clear vision of how the UFC Sacramento main event will play out. I expect Anthony Hernandez to beat up and overwhelm Gregory Rodrigues until the finish presents itself in the championship rounds. I wouldn’t write off a submission victory, but a TKO seems much more likely against the BJJ black belt who has never been tapped out in MMA.”
PREDICTION: ANTHONY HERNANDEZ BY KNOCKOUT
Donagh Corby: “Gregory Rodrigues is a hard hitter, and Anthony Hernandez was put down by Sean Strickland last time out. Strickland isn’t exactly a power puncher, and I believe early in this fight ‘Robocop’ has a shot at getting this done.”
PREDICTION: GREGORY RODRIGUES BY KNOCKOUT
Jamie Theodosi: “The only fight Anthony Hernandez has lost in the last 6 years is to the current champ, Sean Strickland. In this matchup against Gregory Rodrigues, I think his wrestling and grappling pressure will be too much for the Brazilian, and he will return to the win column.”
PREDICTION: ANTHONY HERNANDEZ BY SUBMISSION
Kyle Dimond: “There is a huge contrast between these two guys. Rodrigues is dangerous but is all muscle and tends to fade as a result. I don’t see him stopping Hernandez early, so this feels like a nightmare matchup for the Brazilian. I can see ‘Fluffy’ wearing him down and stopping him in the third. Middleweight Merab is back!”
PREDICTION: ANTHONY HERNANDEZ BY KNOCKOUT
Harvey Leonard: “Aside from a puncher’s chance early, I find it hard to envision a path to victory for Gregory Rodrigues in this one. He won’t be able to keep pace with Anthony Hernandez for long, and that will set up a TKO finish in round three or four. This should be an impressive bounce-back for ‘Fluffy’ after a setback against Sean Strickland that has aged well.”
PREDICTION: ANTHONY HERNANDEZ BY…
2026-08-21 06:00:00
