Anthony Hernandez: ‘I want to hurt somebody’ at UFC Sacramento

Anthony Hernandez is determined to make an emphatic statement in his return to the Octagon at UFC Sacramento, where he will headline against Gregory Rodrigues in his home state. The middleweight is hungry for a dominant finish after suffering a third-round stoppage loss to Sean Strickland at UFC Houston in February, a result that snapped an impressive eight-fight winning streak.

Hernandez (15-3) made clear his intentions ahead of the five-round main event, telling UFC on Paramount Plus that he wants to deliver a decisive victory. "I want to hurt somebody, man," Hernandez said. "I want to finish somebody. I want to make somebody hate their life. I am not here to get a decision." The fighter has been training at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas alongside Strickland as he prepares for the bout.

His opponent, Rodrigues (19-6), enters the matchup in solid form, having won six of his last seven fights. Hernandez has headlined his previous two UFC appearances, posting a 1-1 record in those slots. The main event takes place Saturday, August 22, at 8 p.m. ET on Paramount+.