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 at UFC Oklahoma City, scheduled for July 18, after the original co-main pairing of Charles Jourdain and Marlon Vera was shifted to a separate card. The updated main card will feature a five-round headliner alongside the Hernandez–Rodrigues middleweight bout, plus Cannonier vs. Duncan and Holland vs. Smith.

Hernandez, nicknamed "Fluffy," enters the fight ranked third in the middleweight division at 32 years old. The American wrestler out of MMA Gold Fight Team carries a 15-3 record and is one of the more well-rounded threats in the division, averaging 5.88 takedowns per 15 minutes while also landing 4.57 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 60 percent.

Rodrigues, known as "Robocop," is a 34-year-old Brazilian fighting out of Kill Cliff FC. The six-foot-three orthodox standout holds a 19-6 record and brings relentless forward pressure, averaging an eye-catching 5.6 significant strikes per minute. He shares the same 75-inch reach as Hernandez, setting up a closely matched physical contest.

Why it matters

• Hernandez is ranked third at middleweight, meaning a strong performance could push him toward a title shot conversation
• Rodrigues has no listed divisional ranking, making this a significant opportunity to crack the top ten with a win over a top-five fighter
• Both men are high-output offensive fighters — Hernandez with elite takedown volume and Rodrigues with heavy striking — pointing toward an action-heavy five-round contest if the co-main is granted that format
• The reshuffle bumps Vera and Jourdain from a prominent slot, reshaping the bantamweight picture for that future card