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 slot at UFC Oklahoma City, scheduled for July 18, with the promotion reshuffling its main card after Charles Jourdain and Marlon Vera were moved to a separate event.

Hernandez, nicknamed "Fluffy," enters the bout riding momentum as one of the middleweight division's most dangerous contenders. The 32-year-old American holds 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, landing 4.57 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate while also averaging an impressive 5.88 takedowns per 15 minutes. That combination of grappling pressure and striking efficiency makes him a genuine handful at 185 pounds.

Rodrigues, whose verified data was not included in the database pull, steps into a significant opportunity opposite one of the division's top-ranked fighters.

The updated main card for UFC Oklahoma City now lines up with Islam DDP versus Usman in a five-round headliner, followed by Rodrigues versus Hernandez, Cannonier versus Duncan, and Holland versus Smith. Jared Cannonier, ranked ninth at middleweight, also features on the card. The 42-year-old known as "The Killa Gorilla" carries an 18-9 record and brings heavy hands to his bout against Duncan, averaging 4.42 significant strikes per minute out of a switch stance with a notably wide 77-inch reach.

Why it matters

• Hernandez is ranked third at middleweight, meaning a strong performance against Rodrigues could push him into title contention discussions
• The co-main event elevation gives both fighters a higher-profile platform and likely a larger audience
• The reshuffled card now features multiple middleweight bouts, making UFC Oklahoma City a significant night for the 185-pound division