Published 51 days ago
Hernandez accuses Rodrigues of illegal glove grabs in ground game after controversial unanimous decision loss
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Anthony Hernandez strongly reacted after his fight against Gregory Rodrigues at UFC Sacramento. The Texan accuses his opponent of cheating by repeatedly grabbing the inside of his gloves during ground exchanges, a practice he deems unfair. Despite sharing a Fight of the Night bonus, Hernandez feels wronged by Herb Dean’s officiating, which did not penalize Rodrigues. The Brazilian, unbeaten in his last four fights, dismissed the accusations and challenged Dricus Du Plessis.
To remember:
- Anthony Hernandez accuses Gregory Rodrigues of cheating after their intense five-round fight at UFC Sacramento.
- The Texan denounces illegal glove grabs during ground exchanges, despite warnings from referee Herb Dean.
- No penalty was issued, leaving Hernandez frustrated with a decision he calls unfair.
- Rodrigues rejects the accusations, remains unbeaten in four fights, and now challenges Dricus Du Plessis.
The UFC Sacramento event will be remembered more for controversy than for a simple Fight of the Night bonus. The bout between Anthony Hernandez and Gregory Rodrigues sparked cheating allegations that shook the octagon. In a post-fight interview, Hernandez strongly condemned Rodrigues for repeatedly grabbing the inside of his gloves, particularly during ground game exchanges. For the Texan, these actions—which he calls unfair—cost him a decisive edge in a close fight.
According to Hernandez, referee Herb Dean even verbally warned Rodrigues after the first infractions. Yet, no penalty was enforced, leaving the Texan bitter. "It's unfair. I gave it my all, but some decisions are beyond the fighters' control," he said, clearly frustrated. Despite the controversy, the judges upheld their verdict: a unanimous decision in favor of Rodrigues, who leaves with the bonus and an intact unbeaten streak.
Rodrigues Dismisses Accusations: "Just Excuses"
In front of the cameras, Gregory Rodrigues didn’t hold back. The Brazilian, unbeaten in his last four fights, called Hernandez’s allegations "just excuses." For him, the victory is legitimate, and the glove grabs are part of his strategy. "I don’t cheat. If something wasn’t allowed, the referee would have acted," he fired back. A response that only fueled the debate on MMA officiating.
But Rodrigues didn’t stop there. Riding his victory, he issued a bold challenge to Dricus Du Plessis, the current middleweight title contender. A statement that’s sure to make waves in the division, especially after such a disputed performance.
Between cheating allegations and bold challenges, UFC Sacramento delivered a spectacle far beyond the octagon. While Hernandez leaves California with a bitter taste, Rodrigues departs with a win and a target on his back. One thing is certain: this controversy will fuel discussions long after the event.