Anthony Hernandez returns to the Octagon this summer for the first time since falling to UFC middleweight champ Sean Strickland.
UFC middleweight contender Anthony Hernandez’s path to a title shot hit a speed bump when he was finished by Sean Strickland at UFC Houston earlier this year. After Strickland won the UFC middleweight title by defeating Khamzat Chimaev, Hernandez has the chance to potentially secure a rematch and a shot at revenge.
Before losing to Strickland, Hernandez won eight consecutive fights, including recent finishes against Roman Dolidze, Brendan Allen, and Roman Kopylov. A win over another top contender could potentially propel Hernandez back into the title mix.
For the first time in many years, the UFC will host an upcoming Fight Night event in Sacramento, California, on August 22nd. Hernandez, who was born in nearby Dunnigan, will get the homecoming of a lifetime in a massive fight in the middleweight division.
Anthony Hernandez returns for first fight since Sean Strickland ended long win streak
As first reported by Connected MMA, Hernandez will fight Gregory Rodrigues in the UFC Sacramento headliner.
Rodrigues returns to the Octagon on a three-fight win streak since losing to former title challenger Jared Cannonier in February 2025. He most recently knocked out Brunno Ferreira with one punch at UFC 326 in March.
Hernandez and Rodrigues are considered two of the most dangerous finishers in the UFC middleweight division. Meanwhile, Strickland could potentially fight Chimaev in an immediate rematch later this year, as hinted by UFC CEO Dana White at a recent press conference.
The August 22nd event will be the first in Sacramento since July 2019, a card headlined by a women’s bantamweight bout between Germaine de Randamie and Aspen Ladd.
What is your prediction for Anthony Hernandez vs. Gregory Rodrigues? Let us know in the comments!
