After more than three years since their exciting first confrontation, Gregory Rodrigues and Brunno Ferreira for a much-anticipated rematch next month at UFC 326. 

UFC 326 Features Electrifying Runback Between Middleweight Bruisers

Back in 2023 in the preliminary portion of UFC 283, Rodrigues and Ferreira met in what could only be described as an absolute barnburner. Taking place in their native Brazil, the show saw many talented hometown fighters attempt to steal the show, but it was these two middleweights that wound up setting the stage for a splendid main card.

Dealing nearly identical significant strikes to each other, it was Ferreira who starched Rodrigues with a massive counter punch in the first round, handing “Robocop” his first-ever loss by stoppage in the promotion.

 

Now, for a second time, the two will square off at the famed T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for the chance to further their ascension up the competitive 185-lb ladder in UFC 326. In the time since their first tussle in South America, both Rodrigues and Ferreira have had their ups and downs in both their respective UFC careers, with them managing some monumental finishes, but also suffering some heart-breaking setbacks. Known for their amazing destructive power, their rematch at UFC 326 promises to be a truly violent spectacle. 

Rodrigues Popular Fighter, Hasn’t been Able To Get Over Hump of Top 10 Ahead of UFC 326    

Making his way into the company after winning the LFA middleweight strap in 2021, UFC 326’s Rodrigues had enjoyed a very successful run over the course of his first five fights in the UFC. Going 4-1 during a year-long stretch, the highly active Brazilian had appeared to be the next up-and-coming finisher that was going to take the upper echelon by storm. His wins included knockouts over Park Jun-yong, Julian Marquez, and Chidi Njokuani.

His victory over the latter was even more impressive after taking a nasty knee to the face which opened a grizzly cut between his eyes. He then lost in dramatic fashion to Ferreira that halted his momentum dead in its tracks. 

Fortunately, Rodrigues would make a stellar rebound, however, securing wins in his next trio of Octagon contests, recording further triumphs over Denis Tiuliulin, Brad Tavares and Christian Leroy Duncan, dealing the Englishman just his second loss ever. This streak delivered him his first match against a ranked opponent in the organization in a main event bout with the then-7th-ranked middleweight Jared Cannonier. Although he looked superb early on, Rodrigues’ gas tank eventually fizzled out, resulting in “Tha Killa Gorilla” netting a fourth-round knockout win. 

While he may have missed out on snatching his place among the elite in his division at that time, Rodrigues would get right back in the saddle and collect two more victories at the time of this writing. In his first tilt back following his loss to Cannonier, “Robocop” trounced veteran contender Jack Hermansson at UFC 317 before finally earning a number next to his name after defeating Roman Kopylov five months later at UFC 322, cementing his spot as the 13th best 185er on the planet. He now prepares to defend his place on the ladder at UFC 326.  

UFC 326’s Ferreira Stumbled in Rise Has Begun to Show New Layers to Game

Blasting his way to the Octagon after emphatically acquiring a contract on the Contender Series in 2022, the then-undefeated Ferreira dazzled fans all over the globe by flattening the equally hard-hitting Rodrigues with a single powerful shot in their first scrap in his debut. At the time, it looked as if “The Hulk” was just going to smash his way through the best the weight class had to offer as this nigh-unstoppable wrecking ball of strength.

That idea was firmly squashed, though, in his next fight, losing in devastating fashion to the seasoned Nursulton Ruziboev, with Ferreira falling to the Uzbekistan native by knockout. 

It didn’t take long for the Brazilian to work his way back, however, as Ferreira would score two massive stoppages in his next two bouts, besting Phil Hawes and Dustin Stoltzfus both in the first round. Sadly, his progress was halted once more when he met up with kickboxing specialist Abus Magomedov at UFC 308.

Despite rocking the German halfway into their scrap, Magomedov managed to pull off an exciting and very unexpected submission win over Ferreira to log his first tapout victory in four years. 

Ferreira Rattles off Wins Ahead of Booking at UFC 326

Pushed back to the drawing board for a second time in his UFC tenure, UFC 326’s Ferreira entered his meeting with Armen Petrosyan five months later as a slight underdog. Although his striking appeared as dangerous as ever, “The Hulk” showcased a more diverse skill set by beating his Armenian adversary by submission, taking out Petrosyan with a solid second-round armbar. He then demonstrated even more progress as a grappler by tapping out Jackson McVey with yet another armbar stoppage. 

His success following the Magomedov defeat set him up in a showdown with his most experienced foe to date at UFC 323 in Marvin Vettori. While he did miss weight for the bout by a whole three pounds, Ferreira put on an amazing performance, pelting the perennial contender with hard blows across all three rounds to nab the decision win. 

In the wake of the event, Ferreira climbed to the very edge of the middleweight elite, ascending to the No. 15 spot. In his upcoming second scuffle with Rodrigues at UFC 326, the Brazilian TKO representative can not only settle his rivalry with his countryman, he can also further his conquest toward the coveted title picture.