An intriguing main event awaits between Anthony Hernandez and Gregory Rodrigues on Saturday 22 August at the Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California, United States.
The fights will begin at 5 PM ET with the Early Preliminary Card, followed by the Preliminary Card at 7 PM ET and the Main Card at 9 PM ET.
Our article will give you our two best bets for the main event, as well as the current moneyline odds for UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Rodrigues.
UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Rodrigues betting picks and predictions
Anthony Hernandez to win by KO, TKO, DQ or submission (+100)
Anthony Hernandez (15-3-0) can get back in the win column with a victory over potential banana skin Gregory Rodrigues (19-6-0).
Number six ranked Hernandez arrives here having lost to now champion Sean Strickland last time out via a third round TKO in February, with the American going on to dethrone Khamzat Chimaev in May.
Prior to that loss, Fluffy had racked up an eight-fight, five-year winning streak; more recently defeating the likes of Roman Dolidze (Sub R4), Brendan Allen (UD) and Michel Pereira (TKO, R5)
Hernandez brings a cardio heavy, grappling style, where he averages 5.88 takedowns per 15 minutes (1.90 for Rodrigues) as he looks to wear his opponents down.
Standing at 6”3, Rodrigues is an imposing figure who boasts genuine one punch knockout power.
The number 11 ranked 34-year-old has seen 12 of his 19 pro wins end via knockout, including seven of his ten UFC victories.
Rodrigues is on a three fight winning streak and was last seen stopping Brunno Ferreira with a straight right in the first round in March.
The Brazilian has seen two of his three UFC defeats come via KO/TKO, including when he last stepped up to main event against Jared Cannonier in 2023, who claimed a fourth-round stoppage as Rodrigues tired.
Rodgriues does have a 75% takedown defense but the majority of this did come lower down the ladder and he will find a true test here fighting up in the rankings against an exhausting grappler.
If Rodrigues isn’t able to land a concussive blow in the first couple of rounds this may well become Hernandez’s fight and a finish by submission or ground and pound looks more than live.
Under 3.5 rounds (-190)
Interestingly, 34% of Hernandez's significant strikes are landed on the ground, compared to 6% for Rodrigues, which shows the importance of successful grappling to his game.
Rodrigues gassed in the Cannonier fight and could find 25 minutes tough once again due to his sheer size and muscle mass, coupled with his opponent’s relentless cardio.
In the Strickland fight there is no doubt Hernandez ate some shots in the opening rounds that may have been fight ending if someone with Rodrigues’ power was able to find the same openings.
Similarly, Hernandez was able to land some good shots and may adopt more calf kicks to slow down and set up the takedown against a more rigid opponent.
Although Rodrigues presents an obvious danger, it feels like there are more avenues for Hernandez to exploit and his eight-fight winning run evidences that he is more than capable of dealing with this level of opponent inside the distance.
UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Rodrigues odds
Anthony Hernandez | Gregory Rodrigues | |
Moneyline | -190 | +160 |
By Decision or Technical Decision | +390 | +900 |
By KO, TKO or DQ | +290 | +255 |
By Submission | +245 | +1500 |
Total Rounds | Over | Under |
1.5 | -210 | +160 |
2.5 | -110 | -120 |
3.5 | +150 | -190 |
4.5 | +210 | -280 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
