Anthony Hernandez vs. Gregory Rodrigues elevated to UFC OKC co-main event

Anthony Hernandez and Gregory Rodrigues have been elevated to the co-main event of UFC Oklahoma City, scheduled for July 18. The pair move up the card after the originally planned co-main between Charles Jourdain and Marlon Vera was relocated to a separate event.

Hernandez, nicknamed "Fluffy," enters the bout as one of the more dangerous middleweights in the division. The 32-year-old American carries a 15-3 record and sits at number three in the middleweight rankings. Fighting out of MMA Gold Fight Team, Hernandez is a well-rounded threat who lands 4.57 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 60 percent accuracy while also averaging 5.88 takedowns per 15 minutes — a combination that makes him difficult to gameplan against.

Rodrigues's verified data was not available in the current database, but his elevation alongside Hernandez to the co-main slot underscores the UFC's confidence in the matchup as a worthy feature bout.

Why it matters

• Hernandez is ranked third at middleweight, meaning a strong performance could position him for a title shot or top-two matchup.
• The Jourdain-Vera removal reshuffled the entire card structure, giving this middleweight clash a significantly higher profile.
• Hernandez's elite takedown volume against an opponent known for his striking creates a compelling stylistic contrast.

The UFC OKC main card now rounds out with a five-round headliner between DDP and Usman, Jared Cannonier against Duncan at middleweight, and Kevin Holland taking on Smith. Cannonier, ranked ninth at 185 pounds, brings a 18-9 record and a 77-inch reach into his matchup, while Holland — a six-foot-three orthodox fighter with an 81-inch reach and a 29-15 record — adds further depth to what has become a stacked Oklahoma City card.