UFC Sacramento preview and predictions: Anthony Hernandez or Gregory Rodrigues — who wins?

UFC Sacramento focuses on the middleweight division this Saturday in California after a notable numbered occasion final weekend in Philadelphia.

Within the headliner, Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez returns to tackle the at all times entertaining “Robocop” Gregory Rodrigues. For Hernandez, the struggle serves as a rebound after his robust setback towards the now-champion Sean Strickland earlier this yr. Rodrigues, in the meantime, hopes to make good on one other main-event alternative after falling brief final yr in his first headlining look towards Jared Cannonier.

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This card provides the most recent instance of a extra widespread nowadays, with the tier rating between UFC Battle Nights on the highway and the Meta Apex variants mixing right into a blur when it comes to high quality. Order-wise, the UFC made the odd option to put heavyweights Serghei Spivac and Vitor Petrino within the co-main occasion over Reinier de Ridder vs. Roman Dolidze — two multi-time headliners.

In different phrases, UFC Sacramento is a card. Some enjoyable outcomes are certainly in retailer, however they will be hardly consequential in any division.

👑 UFC Sacramento’s lineup Crown grade: D. 👑

185 kilos: Anthony Hernandez (-200) vs. Gregory Rodrigues (+165)

There are actually solely two possible outcomes to this essential occasion. Both Hernandez will get the motion to the mat and finds a end, or Rodrigues sleeps him earlier than the ultimate bell.

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It is by no means a secret what Hernandez desires to do within the Octagon — except you are Strickland, who elicited a wildly weird efficiency from “Fluffy.” The usually tenacious grappler tried solely a single takedown in three rounds towards the now-champ. Usually Hernandez is throughout his opponents, resulting in a very good old school bully beatdown.

In fact, Strickland deserves some credit score for nullifying Hernandez’s sport. However it was extra about what Hernandez did not do than what Strickland did do. That being mentioned, Hernandez has been nearly unmatched along with his smothering floor sport, and Rodrigues has proven weaknesses in that division.

The Brazilian is an enormous physique within the 185-pound division, so he’ll be nice within the energy division towards Hernandez’s grappling. He’ll merely must rely extra on approach and timing when looking for his patented knockout blow. The person carries absolute nukes for fists, and even a slight graze can stun anybody throughout from him.

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So it is easy right here. Both Rodrigues has his approach on the toes en route to a different knockout, or else Hernandez grounds “Robocop.” I’ve to lean towards the latter, due to Hernandez coming by in all however one among his previous 9 appearances.

Choose: Hernandez

265 kilos: Serghei Spivac (+115) vs. Vitor Petrino (-140)

As talked about off the highest, UFC is forcing heavyweights in our face with this one.

Realistically, this matchup is designed to see whether or not Petrino can climb up the ranks. Not that the justification ought to matter a lot within the land of massive males — throw any two heavyweights collectively at random proper now, and also you’re certain to get the identical sort of struggle with 85% of the division.

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Petrino is a basic case of a failed mild heavyweight discovering new life at heavyweight. He was completed by Anthony Smith and Dustin Jacoby at 205 kilos earlier than he made his debut within the heavyweight division three fights in the past. Undefeated since, Petrino started the run with the layup of all layups in Austen Lane, earlier than ending Thomas Petersen and battling to a call with Steven Asplund. An actual heavyweight row in 2026. (Sure, the “assassin’s” exclusion was intentional there.)

With regard to energy of schedule, Spivac has Petrino handily overwhelmed. He is solely misplaced to notable names all through his profession, beating the same old suspects that he in all probability at all times ought to have. For an enormous, rangy dude, Spivac carries sneaky grappling chops, which ought to lead him to victory towards Petrino, through a late submission or determination.

Choose: Spivac

205 kilos: Reinier de Ridder (-450) vs. Roman Dolidze (+340)

Taking place UFC Sacramento from the highest, it is sort of humorous to see the quantity of grappling potential there could possibly be.

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Each “RDR” and Dolidze have pulled off some epic submissions all through their careers, so any floor entanglement may make for a enjoyable time. However I nonetheless lean towards the ever-lethal de Ridder.

Dolidze has slowed down considerably in current fights, and within the areas he is excelled, similar to punching his approach into clinches, he’ll be most weak towards de Ridder. The previous ONE double champ threatens perennially with vicious knees, and he’ll be capable of impose his sport to beat up Dolidze equally to how he upset Bo Nickal.

At this stage, Dolidze simply would not seem to have a lot left for somebody like “RDR.”

Choose: de Ridder

155 kilos: MarQuel Mederos (+260) vs. Mason Jones (-325)

Mason Jones completely guidelines, and I am surprised to see him on this sluggish roll by UFC stint No. 2.

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It has been banger after banger for Jones, who’s gotten his raised each day trip since he first left the UFC in 2022. It is seven straight wins for the Welshman, and after his newest triumph towards Axel Sola, he will get MarQuel Mederos.

Do not get me incorrect, Mederos is a strong prospect in his personal proper. Previous to his draw towards Chris Padilla, he was on an excellent run of wins, courting again to his lone profession defeat, which occurred the identical yr Jones left the promotion.

Mederos enjoys a very good placing alternate or two and customarily follows a struggle move from begin to end. With Jones, there is not a lot move, although. It is all chaos. He brawls it out till he cannot, then leans on a strong wrestling sport.

Jones is aware of his strengths and performs to all of them effectively. He is turn out to be a really strong total fighter, however his struggle IQ could also be his finest weapon. That is his struggle to lose.

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Choose: Jones

125 kilos: Carli Judice (-600) vs. Jeisla Chaves (+425)

After a tricky begin to her UFC profession, Carli Judice has gotten on observe and now finds herself seen by many as a legit future flyweight contender. The 27-year-old has been “Crispy,” as her nickname suggests, head-kicking Yuneisy Duben and kneeing Nicole Caliari into oblivion, adopted by an excellent effort over Julianna Miller. Much like a Jones or Petrino, Judice definitely is not being rushed by the UFC, however that is in all probability in her finest pursuits whereas she’s nonetheless creating.

If MMA math is to be believed, Jeisla Chaves is in bother, having fought to a split-decision with Duben her final day trip. Even a previous break up win over Sofia Montenegro on Contender Sequence means that Chaves has extra rising to do than Judice.

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With all that mentioned, Chaves has proven some robust ground-and-pound work in her profession. It simply wasn’t towards anybody with a win. Like, actually. Chaves hadn’t fought an opponent with knowledgeable win till Montenegro. Judice is a step above that.

Choose: Judice

265 kilos: Anthony Wint (-1200) vs. Terrance Chatman (+750)

How insane is it that we see odds like this weekly on UFC playing cards? That is imagined to be the premier MMA group on the planet. These disparities ought to not exist.

Anyway, Anthony Wint is a beast of a person. The previous New York Jet is, unsurprisingly, a bona fide brick [expletive]home, if you’ll. Being an NFL participant would not at all times translate to MMA, as we all know, however the athleticism of this man has been on show in all seven of his fights to date.

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Certain, something is feasible on this absurd heavyweight division. However Terrance Chatman is being introduced in to affix Wint’s spotlight reel. Plain and easy.

Choose: Wint

Preliminary Notes

If Judice is a vivid spot for the flyweight division, Shanelle Dyer is one for strawweight. The Brit placed on a sensational effort in her win towards Ravena Oliveira, making her curtain-jerker standing right here towards Elise Reed considerably of a head-scratcher. Nonetheless, she’s a proficient striker who’s value your time.

Lerryan Douglas is again in motion after an excellent end of Julian Erosa. A win over Jamall Emmers may put the surging Brazilian in place for a notable identify struggle, as he continues to show his legitimacy after holding LFA gold.

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Fast picks:

• Lerryan Douglas (-400) def. Jamall Emmers (+310)

• Shamil Gaziev (-135) def. Kennedy Nzechukwu (+110)

• Nasrat Haqparast (-125) def. Chris Padilla (+105)

• Márcio Barbosa (-900) def. Ryan Kuse (+600)

• Gauge Younger (-165) def. Stanley Dorsainvil (+135)

• Jackson McVey (-185) def. Wesley Schultz (+150)

• Shanelle Dyer (-900) def. Elise Reed (+600)