Gregory Rodrigues builds momentum after biggest win, calls out Dricus du Plessis at UFC Sacramento

UFC Sacramento ended with Gregory Rodrigues delivering what was described as the biggest win of his career to date, defeating Anthony Hernandez by unanimous decision in the main event. Rodrigues used the post-fight spotlight not just to celebrate the result, but to steer the conversation toward Dricus du Plessis, a former UFC middleweight champion, indicating that he wants to measure himself against the division’s elite level.

Rodrigues and Hernandez met with high stakes typical of a main event in the UFC’s crowded 185-pound field: a decisive performance can move a contender closer to title contention. A unanimous decision also carries weight because it reflects judged success across the fight rather than relying on a single moment, and it tends to strengthen a case for future opportunities.

After the fight, Rodrigues’ callout was framed as a message to du Plessis. The UFC middleweight title picture has long been driven by matchups between the most consistent threats, and du Plessis remains one of the sport’s most prominent names at 185. By putting him directly at the center of his post-fight remarks, Rodrigues effectively tried to convert Saturday night’s win into a specific next target rather than a broad appeal to “whoever’s next.”

The Hernandez bout itself was the foundation of the moment. According to the report, Rodrigues topped Hernandez by unanimous decision, establishing a clear outcome and a firm statement within the weight class. For Rodrigues, the significance is twofold: it was presented as his largest career win so far, and it came in a featured setting where voters, matchmakers, and viewers pay close attention.

Du Plessis, meanwhile, represents the kind of opponent that typically defines a contender’s ceiling. When a rising fighter calls out a former champion, it creates a more direct narrative link between the winner’s immediate trajectory and the division’s title history. Rodrigues’ challenge suggests he believes the gap between “contender” and “championship-caliber” is close enough to test now.

Still, the UFC matchmaking process is not automatic, and a callout does not guarantee a title-adjacent booking. Rankings, timing, and the readiness of other opponents all affect how quickly du Plessis might be positioned to fight Rodrigues. Even so, the public nature of the message ensures the conversation will linger with the audience and, potentially, in the UFC’s next round of opponent planning.

For now, the practical next step for Rodrigues is turning this win into sustained pressure behind the scenes: staying active, continuing to build performances that are easy to evaluate, and reinforcing that the Hernandez decision was not a one-off. If the UFC chooses to honor Rodrigues’ stated target, the middleweight division could see a match that tests whether Rodrigues can carry his “message” into a championship-level matchup against one of the class’s most recognizable figures.