SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The conventional wisdom entering Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 285 main event was simple: If Gregory Rodrigues couldn’t get Anthony Hernandez out of there early, Hernandez’s relentless pace would eventually take over.
“Robocop” had other plans. Rodrigues went beyond the fourth round for the first time in his professional career and defeated Hernandez by unanimous decision at Golden 1 Center, earning scores of 49-46, 48-47 and 48-47.
More importantly, he beat Hernandez at the very thing expected to break him pace, pressure and attrition.
Rodrigues Shuts Down Hernandez’s Wrestling
Hernandez wasted virtually no time showing his strategy. Within the opening seconds, the hometown favorite was pushing forward and hunting for takedowns.
Then he tried again. And again. Rodrigues kept saying no.
The Brazilian defended more than 20 takedown attempts throughout the fight, repeatedly forcing Hernandez to expend energy without getting the positions he wanted. That defensive success opened the door for Rodrigues’ striking. And one weapon in particular changed the fight.
‘Robocop’ Destroys Hernandez’s Lead Leg
Rodrigues recognized early that Hernandez’s lead leg was available and began attacking it relentlessly. The results became increasingly brutal. Rodrigues’ leg kicks knocked Hernandez off his feet four separate times, with the damage becoming so significant that Hernandez eventually switched to southpaw simply to protect his battered left leg.
Round 2 was particularly punishing. Rodrigues dropped Hernandez with a leg kick, then did it again. Another kick put Hernandez down for a third time, and Rodrigues eventually found himself in full mount, raining punches and elbows onto the local favorite.
For a moment, it appeared the fight might be approaching its conclusion. Then Hernandez reminded everyone why he’s so difficult to put away.
After absorbing enormous damage, Hernandez got back to his feet and started throwing bombs. He hurt Rodrigues against the fence. Then, after spending much of the fight unsuccessfully chasing takedowns, Hernandez finally put Rodrigues on the canvas just before the end of Round 2.
Rodrigues Finishes Strong
The momentum carried into the third. Hernandez secured another takedown almost immediately and attacked Rodrigues’ back, briefly threatening a rear-naked choke. Suddenly, the narrative everyone expected before the fight appeared to be unfolding. Rodrigues looked exhausted. Hernandez looked rejuvenated.
Much of Round 3 was fought against the cage, where Hernandez could impose his pressure and force Rodrigues to work. It looked like Robocop might finally be running out of battery. He wasn’t.
Rather than fading in unfamiliar territory, Rodrigues came alive again in Round 4. He landed a hard left almost immediately and stuffed another Hernandez takedown attempt.
Then the offense started flowing. Knees. Elbows. Right hands. Body kicks. Rodrigues reclaimed the center of the cage and began backing up the fighter who normally makes opponents retreat.
That was perhaps the most impressive part of his performance. Rodrigues didn’t merely survive Hernandez’s vaunted cardio. He continued producing offense deep into the fight while repeatedly denying Hernandez’s best weapon. By the final horn, Rodrigues had done enough to secure the biggest victory of his UFC career.
Robocop Wants Dricus Du Plessis Next
Rodrigues (20-6 MMA, 11-3 UFC) entered the night ranked No. 10 at middleweight. He won’t be No. 10 for much longer. After defeating the seventh-ranked Hernandez, Rodrigues immediately aimed considerably higher and called for a fight against former UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, currently ranked No. 2.
That’s an ambitious jump. But Saturday’s performance gives Rodrigues a compelling argument for a major fight. The middleweight division currently revolves around two-time champion Sean Strickland, who reclaimed the belt earlier this year by upsetting Khamzat Chimaev.
Du Plessis recently returned to the win column against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Rodrigues now wants into that championship conversation.
