Ali Akbar Rosady
Sacramento, CA – Brazilian middleweight contender Gregory Rodrigues has firmly established his presence in the upper echelon of the UFC’s 185-pound division, delivering a career-defining performance at UFC Sacramento. Following a dominant five-round unanimous decision victory over Anthony Hernandez, Rodrigues wasted no time in articulating his championship ambitions, issuing direct challenges to reigning UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus du Plessis and the highly-touted Khamzat Chimaev. The win, marking his fourth consecutive triumph, propels Rodrigues into a significant position within a dynamic middleweight landscape, with "Robocop" signaling his intent to only move forward in the rankings.
The main event clash on Saturday night at the Golden 1 Center saw Rodrigues (15-5 professional, 6-3 UFC) face off against a resilient Anthony Hernandez (11-3, 1 NC professional). For 25 minutes, Rodrigues showcased an evolved skillset, demonstrating not only his trademark power and aggression but also an impressive ability to sustain a high pace and execute a comprehensive game plan. This was a critical test for Rodrigues, who had previously faced questions regarding his endurance in extended bouts. His performance against Hernandez, characterized by relentless pressure, precise striking, and intelligent grappling exchanges, unequivocally answered those concerns, earning him a clean sweep on the judges’ scorecards (50-45, 50-45, 49-46).
"Robocop" entered the contest as the No. 15 middleweight in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, while Hernandez was positioned significantly higher at No. 5 (tied with Caio Borralho) in the same publication’s metrics. The victory over a top-ranked opponent, according to these independent rankings, is expected to result in a substantial leap for Rodrigues, pushing him firmly into title contention discussions. Of his 15 professional victories, 11 have come by way of knockout, underscoring his formidable finishing ability, though his latest performance highlighted a more complete and patient approach.
Immediately following the confirmation of his victory, Rodrigues seized the opportunity to make his intentions clear during his post-fight interview. His primary target was none other than the division’s kingpin. "Dricus du Plessis, where are you, man?" Rodrigues declared with conviction. "I want you. Let’s go. No. 1 contender to fight for the belt. Dricus du Plessis, I want you."
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Dricus du Plessis (21-2 professional) is the undisputed UFC Middleweight Champion, having captured the title with a split decision victory over Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in January. The South African fighter, known for his relentless pressure and unorthodox striking, is currently awaiting his next challenger, with a potential rematch against Israel Adesanya looming. Rodrigues’ callout is a bold statement, signaling his belief that he is ready to bypass several contenders and challenge for the gold directly, or at the very least, secure a pivotal title eliminator bout against one of the division’s top contenders. The middleweight division has seen considerable fluidity in recent years, with the belt changing hands multiple times, creating a landscape ripe for new challengers to emerge. Rodrigues appears intent on being at the forefront of this new wave.
During the subsequent post-fight press conference, Rodrigues elaborated on his desired trajectory, also floating the name of another high-profile fighter. "Why I’m going to look back?" Rodrigues questioned rhetorically, emphasizing his forward-thinking approach. "I just beat the No. 6 [referring to Hernandez in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings], tough guy, and I want to go forward. I think Dricus is a good fight or even Khamzat [Chimaev], I don’t know."
Khamzat Chimaev (13-0 professional) represents a different, yet equally compelling, proposition. Chimaev, an undefeated sensation with a formidable reputation across both welterweight and middleweight, last competed at 185 pounds, securing a majority decision win over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 294. While Chimaev’s next move and divisional allegiance remain somewhat uncertain due to injury and strategic considerations, his sheer star power and undefeated record make any fight involving him a major event. A matchup against Chimaev would offer Rodrigues an enormous platform and the opportunity to cement his status as a top-tier attraction, even if it doesn’t immediately lead to a title shot. Chimaev’s aggressive grappling and powerful striking present a unique challenge that would undoubtedly captivate the mixed martial arts community.
Rodrigues’ ambition to "crack the top 3" is a clear indicator of his immediate goals. The middleweight division is currently populated by a host of elite fighters including former champions Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya, perennial contenders like Robert Whittaker, Marvin Vettori, Jared Cannonier, and rising stars such as Paulo Costa and Caio Borralho. Rodrigues’ assertion that "the division is changing and I want my place right there" reflects an astute awareness of the evolving competitive landscape. His ability to deliver a comprehensive 25-minute performance against a ranked opponent has undoubtedly strengthened his case for a significant step up in competition.
The fighter’s journey to this point has been marked by a relentless pursuit of improvement. While always possessing devastating knockout power, the fight against Hernandez demonstrated a more mature and strategically sound "Robocop." The ability to manage his energy, make adjustments over five rounds, and secure a dominant decision victory adds a crucial dimension to his skillset, dispelling any lingering doubts about his capability to contend for a world title that often requires prolonged excellence.
Despite his clear and ambitious callouts, Rodrigues also conveyed a pragmatic understanding of the UFC’s role in matchmaking. He expressed appreciation for the promotion’s leadership and process. "I love what the UFC does," Rodrigues stated. "They did amazing job. Hunter [Campbell], Mick Maynard, Dana [White], Sean [Shelby], they did amazing job. So I don’t need to rush. I will take my time, I made my call, I’m going to talk with my managers. I’m going to talk with the UFC and we will see it." This measured approach suggests a strategic patience, balancing his immediate desires with an acknowledgment that the UFC’s matchmakers will ultimately determine his path forward, considering all factors including divisional rankings, marketability, and the overall flow of the sport.
With his latest victory, Gregory Rodrigues has not only extended his impressive winning streak but has also staked a compelling claim for a major fight. Whether the UFC opts to grant him a direct shot at Dricus du Plessis, a high-stakes encounter with Khamzat Chimaev, or another elite contender, "Robocop" has made it clear that he views his past achievements as mere stepping stones on his unwavering march toward the pinnacle of the middleweight division. The ball is now in the UFC’s court to decide how to best leverage the momentum of their rapidly ascending Brazilian star.
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