Ali Akbar Rosady
Sacramento, California – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has officially announced the main and co-main events for its return to Sacramento on Saturday, August 22, at the Golden 1 Center, alongside several compelling new matchups that promise a night of intense combat sports action. The card will feature a pivotal middleweight clash and a significant divisional shift in the co-main event, signaling the organization’s continued commitment to delivering high-stakes encounters.
Headlining the fight night will be a five-round middleweight contest between the dynamic Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez and the hard-hitting Gregory "Robocop" Rodrigues. This bout represents a crucial opportunity for both athletes to solidify their standing in the fiercely competitive 185-pound division. Hernandez, currently ranked #15 in the middleweight division, aims to rebound from his recent setback, while Rodrigues seeks to extend an impressive winning streak and break into the official rankings.
Anthony Hernandez (12-2, 1 NC), a product of the Contender Series, has earned a reputation for his relentless pace, exceptional grappling, and submission prowess. His fighting style, characterized by constant pressure and a high output, has made him a fan favorite. Prior to his most recent bout, Hernandez had strung together a four-fight winning streak, including notable submission victories over grappling phenom Rodolfo Vieira and a dominant performance against Edmen Shahbazyan. His last outing saw him face former middleweight champion Sean Strickland, a fight that ended in a TKO loss in the second round. Despite the defeat, Hernandez demonstrated moments of his characteristic tenacity, and this main event spot against Rodrigues offers him a prime opportunity to reassert his presence in the upper echelons of the division. His ability to push the pace and transition seamlessly between striking and grappling will be key against Rodrigues.
Standing opposite Hernandez is Gregory Rodrigues (14-5), a Brazilian powerhouse known for his aggressive striking and formidable knockout power. "Robocop" has become synonymous with exciting fights, often engaging in back-and-forth brawls that end decisively. Rodrigues enters this main event riding a three-fight win streak, showcasing improved discipline alongside his raw power. His most recent victory was a first-round knockout over Brunno Fereira, a performance that underscored his dangerous offensive capabilities. Other significant wins include a violent TKO over Chidi Njokuani and a decision over Julian Marquez. Rodrigues’s striking accuracy and ability to absorb punishment while dishing it out make him a formidable opponent for Hernandez, promising a high-octane affair that is unlikely to go the distance. The stylistic clash between Hernandez’s grappling-heavy pressure and Rodrigues’s potent striking could well determine the trajectory for both fighters in the coming year.
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In the co-main event, a highly anticipated light heavyweight clash will see Reinier de Ridder make his official move to the 205-pound division as he takes on the formidable Roman Dolidze. This bout marks a significant moment for de Ridder, who seeks a fresh start after a challenging period in his middleweight career.
Reinier de Ridder (16-2), a former two-division champion in another major promotion, steps into the UFC’s light heavyweight division following back-to-back losses that disrupted his otherwise stellar professional record. Known for his elite grappling, particularly his judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt skills, "The Dutch Knight" had previously amassed an impressive undefeated streak, dominating opponents with his suffocating top control and submission game. His recent setbacks came against Brendan Allen, where he suffered a first-round submission loss, and Caio Borralho, resulting in a unanimous decision defeat. These losses prompted a strategic decision to transition to light heavyweight, a division where his natural size and strength may be more advantageous, potentially revitalizing his career. His ability to adapt his ground game against larger opponents will be under scrutiny, making this debut a critical test of his divisional aspirations.
Across the Octagon, Roman Dolidze (12-3), currently ranked #9 in the middleweight division, steps up to light heavyweight for this co-main event. Dolidze is a powerful and opportunistic fighter with a strong background in grappling, but also possesses significant knockout power in his hands. He has previously competed at light heavyweight earlier in his UFC tenure, showcasing his versatility. Dolidze’s professional record includes impressive finishes over Jack Hermansson (TKO) and Phil Hawes (KO), demonstrating his capability to end fights abruptly. His recent outings, however, have seen him face tough competition, including decision losses to top-ranked middleweights Nassourdine Imavov and Marvin Vettori. This fight against de Ridder at 205 pounds offers Dolidze an opportunity to re-establish momentum and test his skills against a high-level grappler in a division where he has prior experience. The encounter between de Ridder’s technical ground game and Dolidze’s brute strength and submission defense promises a strategic battle with significant implications for both fighters.
Beyond the headlining acts, the Sacramento card is bolstered by several other intriguing matchups across various divisions:
In the heavyweight division, a compelling clash is set between the #10 ranked Serghei Spivac and the undefeated Vitor Petrino. Serghei "The Polar Bear" Spivac (16-4) is known for his suffocating grappling and ground-and-pound, having secured notable victories over Derrick Lewis (submission) and Augusto Sakai (TKO). He will be looking to rebound from recent losses to top contenders like Ciryl Gane and Tom Aspinall. Vitor Petrino (11-0), primarily a light heavyweight with a perfect professional record and a reputation for knockout power, will be making his heavyweight debut against a seasoned contender. His transition to the heavier division against a grappler of Spivac’s caliber will be a significant test of his power and adaptability.
Another heavyweight bout features Kennedy Nzechukwu (12-5) taking on Shamil Gaziev (12-1). Nzechukwu, typically a light heavyweight, is known for his athletic striking and powerful finishes, having secured wins over Ion Cutelaba and Devin Clark. His move to heavyweight suggests a new challenge and potential for increased power. Gaziev, an imposing figure with a powerful striking game, made a strong impression with a TKO victory over Jairzinho Rozenstruik before suffering his first professional loss to Jailton Almeida. Both fighters will be looking to establish themselves in the heavyweight landscape.
The women’s strawweight division will also be showcased with two newly announced matchups. Carli Judice (4-1) will face off against Jeisla Chaves (4-2), pitting two rising talents against each other in a bid to climb the divisional ladder. Additionally, Shanelle Dyer (4-0) will put her undefeated record on the line against Elise Ride (5-1), in a contest that could introduce a new contender to the 115-pound rankings. These fights highlight the depth of talent emerging in the women’s divisions.
At middleweight, Contender Series veteran Wes Schultz (6-1) makes his return to action against Jackson McVey (5-2). Schultz, who earned his UFC contract with an impressive performance on Dana White’s Contender Series, will aim to secure his first official UFC win and continue his upward trajectory. McVey, also an unranked fighter, will be looking to make a statement against a fighter with a recent Contender Series pedigree.
The event, scheduled to take place at the Golden 1 Center, marks the UFC’s continued presence in Sacramento, a city known for its passionate fight fans. More fights are expected to be announced in the coming weeks to round out what is shaping up to be a compelling fight card. The entire event will be available to stream live on Paramount+, providing fans with comprehensive coverage of all the action from Sacramento.
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