Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

UFC middleweight contender Anthony Hernandez will have to wait a while to return to the Octagon after a grueling loss at UFC Sacramento.

Rising middleweight stars Anthony Hernandez and Gregory Rodrigues treated fight fans to one of the wildest UFC fights of the year last Saturday in Sacramento.

In a pivotal middleweight matchup, Hernandez and Rodrigues headlined a stacked card at UFC Sacramento. Hernandez and Rodrigues treated fans to an instant classic over five rounds, with Rodrigues earning a unanimous decision win on the judges’ scorecards.

It was a disappointing setback for Hernandez, who fought in front of his hometown following at UFC Sacramento. Once thought of as a potential next title challenger, Hernandez has lost back-to-back fights for the first time in his UFC tenure.

After suffering an apparent leg injury thanks to several Rodrigues leg kicks, along with an accumulation of damage, Hernandez will be on the sidelines for a while after UFC Sacramento.

Anthony Hernandez issued medical suspension following UFC Sacramento slugfest

The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) released a full list of fighter injuries and medical suspensions linked to UFC Sacramento.

Hernandez suffered a potential left knee fracture against Rodrigues, as announced by the CSAC in its post-event report. As a result, CSAC handed Hernandez a six-month medical suspension or until cleared by a physician.

Rodrigues suffered a potential right knee fracture against Hernandez and was also handed a 180-day medical suspension.

In addition to the UFC Sacramento headliners, Lerryan Douglas was handed a six-month suspension after suffering a possible orbital fracture. MarQuel Mederos, who earned an impressive knockout win over Mason Jones, also suffered a potential orbital fracture and is suspended for six months.

Can Anthony Hernandez return to the UFC middleweight title mix after UFC Sacramento? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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