Predicting UFC Seattle: Hernandez vs Rodrigues

Zak Drapeau
2 minutes ago
8 min read

by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen

Sportz Nation - 8/21/2026

In our FN Gamrot vs Salkilld Predictions, which you can find here,

Zak went 3-3 in picks with 2 method for 5 points.

Matt went 3-3 in picks with 2 method for 5 points.

Points To Date:

Zak: 158 (106-60)

Matt: 145 (95-65)

*All odds courtesy of Caesar's Sportsbook on 8/

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6Anthony Hernandez vs

11Gregory Rodrigues

(Hernandez -165)

Zak Drapeau -

This should be an incredible match but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't pulling for RoboCop here in what should be his coming out party. Rodrigues has won 6 of his last 7 fights with 4 knockouts and has beaten three, Top-15 ranked fighters in a row. Rodrigues also has an extensive Brazilian jiu-jitsu background and was the 2008 IBJJF Purple Belt World Champion as well as a multiple time jiu jitsu National champion and currently a black belt.

He will need every ounce of his jiu jitsu game in this one because Fluffy will be going for takedowns every chance he can get. Anthony Hernandez was a freight train coming for the 185-title before Sean Strickland did Sean Strickland things. This will either be Hernandez getting off to another streak in the division or a wake up call that his 8-fight win streak was against some decent guys, but not elite fighters.

I think this fight will see Hernandez give pressure like always but as more of a clinch against the cage pressure to stay away from RoboCop's guard. At some point, Rodrigues' grappling will keep Hernandez off of him enough to show his power and even though I really do like Hernandez in this division's Top-10, I think it's Rodrigues' time.

Prediction: Rodrigues by TKO/KO

Matt Hylen -

This is such a toss up for me, which I love to see in a main event of a Fight Night. Gregory Rodrigues has a MASSIVE size advantage, but the technicality of this fight might be his downfall.

If you’ve watched Rodrigues fight before, you know how powerful this dude is. One shot is legitimately all he needs to knock his opponent out cold. He also is very underrated on the ground, possessing all the tools necessary to dominate there too.

With that said, Anthony Hernandez is a different beast when he’s on top. When he takes you down, there is next to no chance that you get up. Of course, it is possible, but at the risk of a flurry of strikes that can put you out. Considering we haven’t really seen Rodrigues succeed while on the bottom, I like Hernandez to control this fight if he’s able to take him down.

Prediction: Hernandez by Decision

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6Serghei Spivac vs

Vitor Petrino

(Petrino -150)

Zak Drapeau -

Serghei Spivac may be the #6 ranked Heavyweight in the UFC but as far as the promotion's concerned, they are trying to send him up-and-comer after up-and-comer until someone kicks him down the ranks. Unlucky for him, Petrino is probably gonna be that guy. Since moving up from Light Heavyweight, Petrino is 3-0 with a decision, knockout and submission win and none were particularly close.

Spivac is the second-longest tenured fighter in the Heavyweight's Top-15 being a fixture since 2021. He has always been a relentlessly controlling wrestler but his striking has gotten better in that time too.

This is good and bad, because if Spivac tries to stand and bang with Petrino rather than just control him on the ground... this one could be over quickly.

Prediction: Petrino by TKO/KO

Matt Hylen -

Another potentially fun fight that I think could produce some fireworks. While it also could be one of those boring decision heavyweight fights, both Serghei Spivac and Victor Petrino have unique abilities in different assets of MMA.

Starting with Spivac, his advantage is with the grappling. When he is on top of his game, he is an absolute mauler on the ground. We haven’t seen that version of Spivac in a while, but likely because his competition has been steep as of late. This is a fight down for Spivac’s standards, but as a gatekeeper of the division I think he has the potential to do very well in this fight.

As for Petrino, he is going to need a KO or TKO if he wants to win this fight. He holds the boxing and power advantage, but he has been prone to allowing his opponents to hold him against the cage. He also has a lackluster bottom game when taken down, which concerns me against a big guy like Spivac.

I am not normally a Spivac believer, but something is telling me he can win this fight. I wouldn’t be shocked whatsoever if Petrino gets it done, but I think Spivac can take advantage of Petrino’s weaknesses and win this fight.

Prediction: Spivac by Decision

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9Reinier de Ridder vs

15Roman Dolidze

(de Ridder -400)

Zak Drapeau -

This fight should be VIOLENCE. Both fighters had really hit their ceilings at Middleweight and joining Robert Whittaker with permanent moves to Light Heavyweight. Now with MUCH less weight to cut and 20 pounds of mass extra, these fighters that were already aggressive enough should be souped up and ready to lay out their opponents this weekend.

That being said, RDR is the clear favorite for this one. Sure, Dolidze has a lot more UFC experience and a wealth of both striking and grappling highlights but RDR is just a bit better in everything. I still think RDR could've made something at 185 but had tough fights against Brendan Allen and Caio Borralho, but now that he's bringing the same all-around game to a division he no longer will have to cut 30-40 pounds to make, yea... I like this guy.

Prediction: de Ridder by Decision

Matt Hylen -

With both fighters moving up a division for this fight, I think we see much better versions of Reinier de Ridder and Roman Dolidze then in recent fights. Both are on a bit of a skid as of late, so I like this matchup to get one of them back on track.

To put it simply, Dolidze is too old to compete with a guy like Reinier de Ridder. de Ridder was torturing himself to make the middleweight division, so with that factor out do the way he should have no issue with cardio. People tend to forget that de Ridder is a monster when he is at his best, so I think he reminds the world of who he really is by dominating a solid name in Roman Dolidze.

Prediction: de Ridder by TKO/KO

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MarQuel Medeiros vs

Mason Jones

(Jones -265)

Zak Drapeau -

Are you ready for one of the biggest prospects in the UFC to shine on Saturday? No disrespect to MarQuel Medieros who's boxing talents have brought him to 3-0-1 in the UFC and himself has a bright future but Mason Jones is a rocket ship. After an initial 1-2 (1NC) stint with the UFC, Jones went back to Cage Warriors in 2023 and since then is 7-0.

Jones power and length is what separates him from most prospects in the division but there's something new about him since he had to leave the promotion 4 years ago. This should be an excellent war of kickboxing between two guys we'll both see in the Top-15 probably by the end of 2027, but Jones should land the better shots and put on a show while doing so.

Prediction: Jones by Decision

Matt Hylen -

I am a huge fan of what Mason Jones brings to the table. He is a guy who just never gives up; any time you think he’s down and out, he will find a way to comeback and win a fight. MarQuel Medeiros is no slouch either, but doesn’t possess enough on the feet to pose a serious threat to what I think Jones can be.

Coming off one of the best fights in UFC history, Mason Jones could’ve warranted a ranked opponent next. Medeiros isn’t close to the rankings yet; his draw in the last fight he has should have went to his opponent, as he got outclassed on the feet for most of that fight despite having the “bigger moments”. Jones’ power and chin should absolutely carry him to victory in this fight and get him a ranked guy next.

Prediction: Jones by TKO/KO

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Kennedy Nzechekwu vs

Shamil Gaziev

(Gaziev -130)

Zak Drapeau -

While Shamil Gaziev may not be a top ranked Heavyweight anymore, he still has exceptional performances when not facing the cream of the crop and with all due respect, Nzechekwu is not cream or crop. One thing he is though is a big boy, with one of the longest reaches in the UFC and a 5" reach and 2" height advantage in this one.

Since jumping from 205 to 265 (he fights closer to 235), Nzechekwu's only loss is to Valter Walker's Heel Hook which ya know, no shame there. But fighting a guy like Gaziev will pose a new problem in the best power boxer he's ever faced. This fight is going to come down to if Gaziev can get inside on Nzechekwu because who ever manages the distance, will win this fight. That and whoever of these notoriously un-coditioned Heavyweights can keep their stuff together through 3 rounds.

Prediction: Nzechekwu by Decision

Matt Hylen -

This unfortunately should be nothing more than two guys who run out of energy in round 1 and either get a knockout or clinch the entire fight. Both Kennedy Nzechekwu and Shamil Gaziev have heavy hands, but are quite slow and have next to no cardio.

As I said, unless there is a finish in round one I think this is a bore-fest heavyweight matchup. So, it could go either way, but Gaziev has fought higher level competition and has more power, so I guess he has the advantage in the feet.

Prediction: Gaziev by Decision

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Chris Padilla vs

Nasrat Haqparast

(Pick 'Em)

Zak Drapeau -

I have to be honest, I wasn't familiar with Padilla's game before researching for this fight but this dude's for real. In fact, he reminds me A LOT of Haqparast when he was coming up the ranks around 2019. Great boxer with a ton of output and not afraid to get the fight dirty.

This fight is a pick 'em for a reason and it's because these two will be duking it out for the entirety of the fight. Whether one of these warriors goes down and the fight is stopped is completely unknown to me but I'll love the ride to get us there. At the end of the day, Haqparast is more equipped for these wars and even though Padilla is a little younger and a little bigger, I just have a feeling he'll win even though I wouldn't bet either way.

Prediction: Haqparast by Decision

Matt Hylen -

This fight should be extremely entertaining. Two strikers who love to stand and bang but coming off lackluster fights makes this matchup all to play for.

Nasrat Haqparast did get knocked into oblivion in his last fight, but still holds the potential which I think he can use to bounce back. Is is very talented on the feet, but it was his defense that was his downfall. If he shows better defense in this fight, he will go right back to being a name to watch in the UFC.

As for Chris Padilla, he got robbed of a win his last time out, but doesn’t possess the ceiling I think Haqparast does. He is very solid with his striking, but doesn’t have enough power or variety of strikes to make me believe he can make a true name for himself. Thus, I think he will put up a good fight but ultimately be overwhelmed by the style of Haqparast.

Prediction: Haqparast by Decision

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