Rodrigues Wins Unanimous Decision Over Hernandez at UFC Fight Night 285

A middleweight showdown highlighted Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 285 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. The co‑main event featured a matchup between No. 7‑ranked Anthony Hernandez and No. 10‑ranked Gregory Rodrigues.

Hernandez entered the bout on the heels of a TKO loss to current middleweight champion Sean Strickland, ending an eight‑fight win streak. Rodrigues was riding a three‑fight winning run and had compiled six victories in his last seven fights.

From the opening bell, Hernandez took the center of the cage and immediately pressed the fight to the ground. He drove Rodrigues toward the fence and secured a clinch, while Rodrigues defended a single‑leg takedown attempt. After two minutes of back‑and‑forth, they broke apart. Hernandez advanced, shot for a takedown, and forced Rodrigues against the cage. The fighters separated, allowing Rodrigues to land a jab, followed by a right hand from Hernandez. Hernandez clinched again, landed an elbow and a left hook, and fought for a single‑leg, which Rodrigues repelled. MMAWeekly gave the round 10‑9 to Hernandez.

In the second round, Hernandez continued to dominate early, landing a right hand before Rodrigues answered with his own. Hernandez chased Rodrigues to the fence, but the latter responded with leg kicks. After a brief clinch separation, Rodrigues resumed attacking with leg kicks, eventually knocking Hernandez down with a calf strike. Hernandez rose only to be dropped again by another leg kick. Standing, Rodrigues pressed forward, connecting with a combination and another leg kick that sent Hernandez to the canvas. Rodrigues secured a mount, but Hernandez escaped to half‑guard. Rodrigues delivered body and head elbows, then knocked Hernandez down with another leg kick. The round ended with MMAWeekly scoring it 10‑9 for Rodrigues.

The third round opened with Hernandez immediately securing a takedown and working to take Rodrigues’ back. Rodrigues powered up but Hernandez maintained pressure. After a brief stand‑up exchange, Hernandez landed a right hand and chased a takedown that Rodrigues defended. Hernandez disengaged, threw an elbow, and re‑established a clinch. Rodrigues responded with an uppercut and a right hand, while Hernandez continued to pressure Rodrigues against the fence. MMAWeekly awarded the round 10‑9 to Hernandez.

Rodrigues opened the fourth round with a jab and a solid right hand, shook off a takedown attempt, and landed leg kicks. He targeted Hernandez’s body, followed by a powerful right hand and an uppercut. After a flurry of strikes, Rodrigues took the fight to Hernandez, forcing a clinch after two right hands from the champion. With about a minute left, Hernandez worked for a takedown along the cage and succeeded just before the bell. MMAWeekly scored the round 10‑9 for Rodrigues.

The final round began with Hernandez attempting a takedown immediately, but Rodrigues defended and they separated. They exchanged in the pocket, with Rodrigues continuing to attack Hernandez’s torso. Hernandez attempted another takedown, failing, then landed elbows before separating. Rodrigues landed a jab and pressed forward, knocking Hernandez off his feet with a leg kick. He transitioned to top position, took Hernandez’s back, and delivered punches. Hernandez reversed the position as the round ended. MMAWeekly gave the round 10‑9 to Rodrigues.

The judges awarded the fight to Rodrigues by unanimous decision, with scores of 48‑47, 49‑46, and 48‑47.

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