Gregory Rodrigues Has a New Target After His UFC Sacramento Upset — And It’s Dricus du Plessis

Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues didn't just beat Anthony Hernandez on Saturday night.

He may have changed the direction of his UFC career.

After five hard-fought rounds at UFC Sacramento, Rodrigues walked away with a unanimous decision victory over Hernandez—and immediately made it clear that he isn't interested in taking a step backward.

His next target?

Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis.

Rodrigues called out du Plessis following his victory, making it clear that he wants to test himself against one of the biggest names in the division.

Rodrigues Just Won His Fourth Straight

Going into UFC Sacramento, Rodrigues was already riding serious momentum.

The Brazilian had won three consecutive fights and was looking to make another jump up the middleweight rankings against Hernandez, who had previously put together an eight-fight winning streak.

The matchup turned into a brutal 25-minute battle.

Hernandez repeatedly looked for takedowns and tried to turn the fight into the kind of exhausting contest he has become known for. Rodrigues, however, stayed composed and repeatedly punished him with strikes and damaging leg kicks.

By the end of five rounds, Rodrigues had done enough to convince all three judges.

The official scorecards read:

49-46, 48-47 and 48-47 for Rodrigues.

With the victory, Rodrigues extended his winning streak to four fights and improved his UFC record to 11-3.

That's a significant turnaround for a fighter who has been trying to establish himself among the UFC's middleweight contenders.

Hernandez Had the Momentum—Until Rodrigues Took It Away

This wasn't supposed to be an easy fight for Rodrigues.

Hernandez was fighting close to home in Sacramento and had previously built a reputation for relentless pressure and exceptional cardio.

He also entered the fight with something to prove.

Hernandez was coming off a loss to Sean Strickland that ended his eight-fight winning streak, making the Sacramento main event an opportunity to get his title aspirations back on track.

Instead, Rodrigues became the second consecutive fighter to defeat him.

The Brazilian's strategy was particularly effective early in the fight.

Rather than allowing Hernandez to dictate the pace with his wrestling and pressure, Rodrigues used his striking and leg kicks to disrupt Hernandez's movement.

Hernandez eventually found moments of success, particularly during the third round, but Rodrigues adjusted in the championship rounds and regained control.

That ability to make adjustments may ultimately be the biggest takeaway from the fight.

Now Rodrigues Wants Dricus du Plessis

Immediately after the victory, Rodrigues didn't waste time discussing a tune-up fight.

He called for Dricus du Plessis.

And there is a reason the matchup makes sense.

Du Plessis is one of the most recognizable fighters in the UFC's middleweight division and a former champion. A fight against him would give Rodrigues the opportunity to prove that his recent run isn't simply a hot streak.

It would be a genuine test against an established elite-level opponent.

Rodrigues has also made it clear that his ultimate goal is the UFC middleweight championship.

Before UFC Sacramento, he spoke openly about wanting to fight the best fighters in the division and eventually compete for the belt.

Now he has another major victory to add to his résumé.

Is Rodrigues Ready for a Title Run?

That's the big question.

Four straight wins certainly put Rodrigues in an interesting position.

But the UFC middleweight division is packed with dangerous contenders, and one big victory doesn't automatically guarantee a title opportunity.

A fight against someone like du Plessis could be the perfect next step.

If Rodrigues beats a former champion, his argument for a top-five opponent becomes much stronger.

And if he can continue winning, the conversation could quickly shift from:

“Is Gregory Rodrigues a contender?”

to:

“How close is Gregory Rodrigues to a title shot?”

That's exactly where Rodrigues wants the conversation to go.

Rodrigues Is Becoming One of the Division's Most Dangerous Problems

There's another reason fans should pay attention to Rodrigues.

The nickname “Robocop” isn't just marketing.

Rodrigues has developed a reputation for being extremely dangerous in striking exchanges, but his game is not limited to standing and trading punches.

Against Hernandez, he demonstrated the patience and tactical discipline required to survive a five-round main event.

He didn't panic when Hernandez had success.

He didn't abandon his strategy when the fight became difficult.

And when Hernandez began to find his rhythm, Rodrigues adjusted.

Those are important qualities for anyone hoping to make a serious championship run.

Hernandez Now Has a Much Bigger Problem

While Rodrigues is looking toward the top of the division, Hernandez has suddenly found himself facing a very different situation.

The loss to Rodrigues was his second consecutive defeat after his previous eight-fight winning streak.

That doesn't erase everything Hernandez accomplished before the losses.

But the middleweight division moves quickly.

Another defeat could push him significantly further away from title contention.

Hernandez now needs to rebuild—and Rodrigues has effectively taken the momentum that Hernandez desperately needed.

What's Next for “Robocop”?

For now, Rodrigues has done everything he can control.

He won the main event.

He extended his winning streak to four.

He defeated a highly regarded opponent over five rounds.

And then he called for a former UFC champion.

The UFC will ultimately decide whether du Plessis is the right opponent, but Rodrigues has certainly made his intentions clear.

The Brazilian isn't asking for an easy fight.

He's asking for one that could change the trajectory of his career.

And if the UFC gives him Dricus du Plessis next, fans could be looking at a fight that tells us whether Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues is simply enjoying a great run—or whether a legitimate UFC title challenge is beginning to take shape.

One thing is certain: after UFC Sacramento, Rodrigues is no longer a fighter the middleweight division can afford to overlook.