There’s a new contender at 185 pounds. For the first time in his career, Gregory Rodrigues finds himself ranked in the UFC’s Top 10 at middleweight.

The Brazilian ruined the homecoming of Northern California native Anthony Hernandez, destroying “Fluffy’s” lead leg with a barrage of calf kicks. The low kicks produced three knockdowns in the second round, forcing Hernandez to change his stance.

In the third round, Hernandez’s trademark grit came out as he stuck to his game plan of making “Robocop” work defensively while constantly defending takedown attempts. Rodrigues found a second wind in the fourth, landing heavy leather and keeping Hernandez on his back foot.

Hernandez attempted a fifth-round comeback, but Rodrigues stifled his momentum with powerful combinations and a back take in the final minute.

Now riding a four-fight winning streak, Gregory Rodrigues has officially established himself as a middleweight contender.

Vitor Petrino should also find himself inside the Top 10 of the heavyweight rankings after earning his fourth consecutive victory since moving up from 205 pounds.

The Brazilian showed off his speed early, landing a solid combination that busted open Serghei Spivac’s nose. His wrestling took over in the second round, while a strategic stick-and-move approach allowed Petrino to control the third.

It was a successful light heavyweight debut in the UFC for former ONE Championship two-division champion Reinier de Ridder, who reminded everyone just how devastating he can be from the top position. De Ridder hammered his way through Roman Dolidze, finishing the fight in just over four minutes.

The most dramatic moment of the card came from Chris Padilla, who rocked Nasrat Haqparast in the later stages of the third round and furiously pushed for the finish. Padilla locked in a standing arm-triangle choke that had Haqparast out as the final bell sounded.

The prelims also featured several standout performances from developing prospects.

Carli Judice folded Jeisla Chaves with a stepping teep kick for a first-round TKO. Just 11 days after earning his UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series, Anthony Wint showcased a well-rounded game, putting Terrance Chatman on his back before securing a submission victory with an arm-triangle choke.

Marcio Barbosa made it two wins in two UFC appearances with another crushing knockout, sending Ryan Kuse into la-la land with a right hook.

Shanelle Dyer also impressed, picking apart Elise Reed before stopping her with a flurry of strikes while Reed was trapped against the fence.

New contenders have established themselves at middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight, while several promising prospects continued to build momentum on the UFC Sacramento card.

Quick Results

UFC Sacramento Main Card 

• Middleweight: Anthony Hernandez (15-3) vs. Gregory Rodrigues (19-6) (49-46, 48-47 x2) Unanimous Decision
• Heavyweight: Vitor Petrino (15-2) def. Serghei (18-7) by (30-27 x3) Unanimous Decision
• Light Heavyweight: Reinier de Ridder (22-4) def. Roman Dolidze (15-6) by TKO (Ground Strikes) 4:01 R1
• Lightweight: MarQuel Mederos (12-1-1) def. Mason Jones (18-3) by Standing TKO (Elbows & Punches) 2:07 R2
• Women’s Flyweight: Carli Judice (7-2) def.  Jeisla Chaves (7-1) by TKO (Team Kick & Ground Strikes) 1:39 R1
• Heavyweight: Anthony Wint (8-0) def. Terrance Chatman (5-2) by Technical Submission (Arm Triangle) 4:29 R1  

UFC Sacramento Prelims Card 

• Featherweight: Jamall Emmers (23-8) def. Lerryan Douglas (14-6) by  TKO 3:38 R1
• Heavyweight: Shamil Gaziev (15-3) def. Kennedy Nzechukwu (14-7-1) by KO (Straight Right) 1:20 R1
• Lightweight: Chris Padilla (18-6-1) def. Nasrat Haqparast (18-7) by Technical Submission (Standing Arm-Triangle) 4:59 R3
• Featherweight: Marcio Barbosa (19-2) def. Ryan Kuse (9-3) by TKO (Right Hook) 2:47 R1
• Lightweight: Stan Dorsainvil (6-0) def. Gauge Young (11-4) by (29-28 x3) Unanimous Decision
• Middleweight: Jackson McVey (8-2) def. Wes Schultz (9-4) by TKO (Knee & Ground Strikes) 4:13 R1
• Women’s Strawweight: Shanelle Dyer (8-1) def. Elise Reed (8-6) by TKO 1:42 R3

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