Middleweights Anthony Hernandez, left, connects on a punch during the fight against Gregory Rodrigues in the main event Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

Anthony Hernandez connects on a punch during the fight against Gregory Rodrigues in the middleweight main event of a UFC Fight Night event Saturday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS

jvillegas@sacbee.com

Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez entered the octagon at Golden 1 Center with a hometown edge but couldn’t parlay it into a victory, losing in the main event of Saturday’s “UFC Fight Night” in downtown Sacramento.

A 32-year-old middleweight and native of rural Dunnigan about 40 miles from California’s capital, Hernandez went a full five rounds but lost to Gregory Rodrigues of Brazil by unanimous decision.

Rodrigues outstruck Hernandez and scored three knockdowns, with none for Hernandez. Hernandez did manage three takedowns on Rodrigues, but it was not enough to overcome the barrage of blows.

Middleweights Gregory Rodrigues throws an elbow in the fight against Anthony Hernandez in the main event Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Middleweight Gregory Rodrigues throws an elbow in the fight against Anthony Hernandez in the main event Saturday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com Middleweights Anthony Hernandez takes down Gregory Rodrigues during the main event Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Middleweight Anthony Hernandez takes down Gregory Rodrigues during the main event Saturday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com

The event marked the first UFC event at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center since 2019 and the third overall at the venue.

An energized crowd at the Sacramento Kings’ home venue cheered on Hernandez, and despite the loss, he signed autographs for young fans after the fight.

Middleweight Anthony Hernandez signs an autograph following his fight against Gregory Rodrigues in the main event Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Middleweight Anthony Hernandez signs an autograph following his fight against Gregory Rodrigues in the main event Saturday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com

The region’s best-known mixed martial arts fighter, the now-retired Urijah Faber, was among those in attendance.

The defeat dropped Hernandez to 15-4-0. Rodrigues is now 20-6-0.

The Bee’s José Luis Villegas contributed to this story.

Urijah Faber reacts during the main-event fight between Anthony Hernandez and Gregory Rodrigues on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Urijah Faber reacts during the main-event fight between Anthony Hernandez and Gregory Rodrigues on Saturday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com Fans cheer for Anthony Hernandez after the third round of his main-event fight against Gregory Rodrigues on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Fans cheer for Anthony Hernandez after the third round of his main-event fight against Gregory Rodrigues on Saturday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com Gregory Rodrigues greets fans after defeating Anthony Hernandez in the main event Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Gregory Rodrigues greets fans after defeating Anthony Hernandez in the main event Saturday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com

This story was originally published August 22, 2026 at 9:38 PM.