Jack Hermansson’s fifth time stepping into the main event spotlight of a UFC card proved to be one of the most significant moments of his career. After a lackluster 1-3 record in previous headlining opportunities, many believed Hermansson (24-8 MMA, 11-6 UFC) was being set up for defeat against rising Dana White’s Contender Series graduate Joe Pyfer (12-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 236 at the UFC Apex on Saturday.
Hermansson started off the middleweight bout by losing the first two rounds against Pyfer. However, he managed to turn the tables and dominate the final three rounds, ultimately securing a unanimous decision victory. It was a hard-fought battle and a well-deserved outcome for Hermansson, who had been sidelined for a career-long 14 months due to injury. Additionally, it had been almost 19 months since his last win, so the pressure was on “The Joker” to make a statement.
Hermansson’s experience in five-round fights played a crucial role in his victory over Pyfer. Now, he should be looking towards bigger and better opportunities. He entered the fight ranked No. 15 in the latest USA TODAY Sports rankings, and it’s evident that Hermansson, 35, shares the same belief. He already has a plan in mind and called out Nassourdine Imavov, who recently defeated Roman Dolidze by unanimous decision in a main event at the same venue just one week before Hermansson’s fight. While it may not be the most glamorous matchup on paper, it makes sense for both fighters and is likely the next step to take.
Hermansson also expressed his interest in facing contenders like Khamzat Chimaev or Brendan Allen, although the path to those fights is less clear. At the moment, Imavov seems to be the more suitable opponent. It appears destined to be the main event of another card at the UFC Apex, but considering that both fighters are from Europe, it would also be an excellent fit for an overseas fight card in the future.
According to the Source mmajunkie.usatoday.com