Quick Read
- Gregory Rodrigues will rematch Brunno Ferreira at UFC 326 on March 7, 2026, in Las Vegas.
- Rodrigues seeks to avenge a first-round knockout loss to Ferreira from their initial January 2023 bout.
- Rodrigues (18–6) is ranked No. 13 and enters with two consecutive wins; Ferreira (15–2) is No. 15 with three straight wins.
- Betting odds favor Rodrigues (-185), while Ferreira is a +154 underdog.
- The fight is expected to go over 1.5 rounds, with Rodrigues aiming for a more measured approach.
LAS VEGAS (Azat TV) – Top-15 middleweight Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues is set to face Brunno “The Hulk” Ferreira in a highly anticipated rematch at UFC 326 on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The bout offers Rodrigues a significant opportunity to avenge his first-round knockout loss to Ferreira from January 2023, a defeat that marked Ferreira’s explosive UFC debut. Both fighters have since evolved, setting the stage for a pivotal clash in the middleweight division.
The Rematch: Rodrigues vs. Ferreira at UFC 326
The upcoming bout is a rerun of their initial encounter at UFC 283, where Ferreira delivered a thunderous left hand that stopped Rodrigues in the first round. Three years later, both Brazilians enter this rematch with impressive winning streaks and refined skills. Rodrigues, currently ranked No. 13 in the middleweight division, holds an 18–6 professional record (9–3 UFC) and is riding a two-fight winning streak, including a unanimous decision victory over Roman Kopylov in November. Brunno Ferreira, ranked No. 15, boasts a 15–2 record (6–2 UFC) and enters the Octagon on a three-fight winning streak, most recently securing a unanimous decision over former title challenger Marvin Vettori in December, according to DraftKings Network.
Fighter Profiles and Evolved Strategies
Gregory Rodrigues, known as “Robocop,” is a jiu-jitsu black belt despite often relying on his powerful striking. The 6-foot-3 middleweight has secured 11 professional knockouts and maintains a 66% finish rate in the UFC. His aggressive, forward-marching style, while effective, has also led to moments of vulnerability, as seen in his first fight against Ferreira where his chin was exposed. Since that loss, Rodrigues, now 34, has reportedly polished his game, winning five of his last six fights, with his only setback coming against former title challenger Jared Cannonier. Experts like Cooper Albers from DraftKings Network suggest Rodrigues will aim for a more measured approach in this rematch, leveraging his size advantage and boxing fundamentals to manage distance.
Brunno Ferreira, nicknamed “The Hulk,” is a compact 5-foot-10 fighter known for his explosive power and 93% career finish rate, with nine knockouts. He wasted no time showcasing his full-tilt style in his UFC debut by knocking out Rodrigues. Ferreira, 33, combines craftiness with athleticism, overwhelming opponents with a barrage of strikes. While his aggression makes him a dangerous starter, it can also lead to a lack of discipline, and his effectiveness has been noted to fade in longer fights, as highlighted by Covers.com. His two professional losses have come by stoppage, indicating a potential vulnerability if the fight extends beyond the early rounds.
Betting Predictions and Odds for the Bout
Betting lines for the UFC 326 rematch position Gregory Rodrigues as the favorite. DraftKings Sportsbook lists Rodrigues at -185 moneyline, while Ferreira is a +154 underdog. Other sportsbooks like BET99 show Rodrigues at -160 and Ferreira at +130. The over/under for the fight is set at 1.5 rounds, with odds around -115 for both. Many analysts, including those from Covers.com and Action Network, predict Rodrigues to win, emphasizing his growth and more complete skill set since their first encounter. The consensus among these predictions is that Rodrigues has learned from his past mistakes and possesses the tools to weather Ferreira’s early storm, potentially taking control as the fight progresses. Some experts, like those at Covers.com, are betting on the fight going over 1.5 rounds, suggesting Rodrigues’s strategy will involve neutralizing Ferreira’s initial aggression rather than engaging in a reckless slugfest.
Despite Rodrigues being projected as the winner by most, some analysts, such as those at Action Network, still see value in Ferreira as an underdog, noting his improved grappling and continued explosive power. The fight is expected to air live on Paramount+ with the main card starting at 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT.
The rematch between Gregory Rodrigues and Brunno Ferreira at UFC 326 is more than just another fight; it represents a significant test of adaptation and resilience for Rodrigues, who seeks to demonstrate his evolution as a fighter against the explosive power that previously defeated him, while Ferreira aims to prove his initial victory was no fluke.