The UFC returns to Sacramento on Saturday, August 22, 2026, for UFC Fight Night: Anthony Hernandez vs. Gregory Rodrigues at the Golden 1 Center.
The event features a pivotal middleweight main event, a heavyweight co-main event and several important fights involving established contenders and rising prospects.
Main Event: Anthony Hernandez vs. Gregory Rodrigues
Seventh-ranked middleweight Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez faces No. 10-ranked Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues in a five-round main event with significant implications for the UFC middleweight division.
Hernandez is looking to rebound after his loss to Sean Strickland and has made changes to his preparation, including training at Xtreme Couture. His relentless pressure, grappling and high-output style could be decisive over five rounds. Rodrigues, meanwhile, enters with momentum and dangerous knockout power, making him a serious threat whenever the fight stays standing.
Prediction: Anthony Hernandez by unanimous decision.
Co-Main Event: Serghei Spivac vs. Vitor Petrino
The heavyweight co-main event features No. 9-ranked Serghei Spivac against No. 11-ranked Vitor Petrino.
Spivac’s grappling and experience against high-level heavyweights will be tested by Petrino, who brings explosive power and the potential to change the fight with one major shot. The matchup could come down to whether Spivac can establish control before Petrino finds his range.
Prediction: Vitor Petrino by TKO.
Reinier de Ridder vs. Roman Dolidze
De Ridder makes his return to light heavyweight against the dangerous Roman Dolidze. Expect a tactical fight featuring plenty of clinch work and grappling exchanges.
Prediction: Reinier de Ridder by decision.
MarQuel Mederos vs. Mason Jones
This lightweight matchup has the potential to be one of the more entertaining fights on the card. Jones brings an aggressive, high-volume approach, while Mederos will look to use his technical skills to control the exchanges.
Prediction: Mason Jones by decision.
Carli Judice vs. Jeisla Chaves
Judice faces unbeaten prospect Jeisla Chaves in an intriguing flyweight contest. The fight provides both competitors with an opportunity to make a major statement.
Prediction: Carli Judice by decision.
Chris Padilla vs. Nasrat Haqparast
A compelling lightweight fight featuring two experienced and well-rounded competitors. This could be one of the best technical matchups on the preliminary card.
Prediction: Nasrat Haqparast by decision.
UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Rodrigues is a card with major middleweight implications. A victory could move either Hernandez or Rodrigues closer to the championship picture, while the Spivac-Petrino heavyweight fight could produce a dramatic finish.
The preliminaries are scheduled for 5 p.m. ET, with the main card beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
