Tag: Jack Hermansson

Hermansson: People Want To See Me Put Sean Strickland Down

UFC middleweight contender Jack Hermansson says he’s never received more messages of support before a fight than he has ahead of his main event clash with Sean Strickland this weekend. With his position one spot outside the 185-pound top five, Hermansson will be hoping to jump closer to a title shot when he enters the […]

Continue Reading Hermansson: People Want To See Me Put Sean Strickland Down at MMA News.

UFC middleweight contender Jack Hermansson says he’s never received more messages of support before a fight than he has ahead of his main event clash with Sean Strickland this weekend.

With his position one spot outside the 185-pound top five, Hermansson will be hoping to jump closer to a title shot when he enters the Octagon for the first time this year.

Having fallen short of doing so in a headliner versus Marvin Vettori in late 2020, “The Joker” got back on track last May with a comfortable decision triumph over the once-highly-touted prospect Edmen Shahbazyan. Since then, Hermansson has been watching matchups unfold and waiting for his next foe.

That rival has come in the form of outspoken and controversial hard-hitter Strickland. The pair will close out Saturday’s UFC Vegas 47 card inside Las Vegas’ Apex facility, with a place in the championship conversation at stake.

Fans Urge Hermansson To “Kill This Dude!”

It’s fair to say that in his 28-fight career, Hermansson hasn’t come up against an opponent like Strickland. The Swedish-born Norwegian couldn’t be more different than his American counterpart when it comes to personality and voice.

With Strickland’s antics, which have split opinions among fans, pundits, and fighters, it’s no surprise a portion of the MMA community want to see the #7-ranked middleweight beaten. That sentiment has apparently been clear in the DMs of Hermansson.

During a recent appearance on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, the 33-year-old claimed the wave of support and backing he’s received ahead of his contest with Strickland is like nothing he’s experienced before in the UFC.

“I was actually suggesting Sean Strickland (as an opponent),” said Hermansson. “Because he’s ranked one behind me, and he’s on a good win streak. I think he’s undefeated in the middleweight division, and he has some hype right now… He’s a little bit different [LAUGHS].

“I’ve seen (his interviews) and he’s a funny character. Some things he says might be over the line. But what I do know is that I have never faced an opponent where so many people are messaging me, writing to me, like, ‘Man, kill this dude! You have to win this!’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m always trying to win fights.’ People wanna see him go down, that’s for sure,” concluded Hermansson.

While the pair may differ in their fight week, social media, and interview attitudes, one thing they have in common is their talent and toughness when the cage door shuts. They’ll both look to put that on full display come Saturday night.

Who do you think will have their hand raised in the UFC Vegas 47 main event, Jack Hermansson or Sean Strickland?

Continue Reading Hermansson: People Want To See Me Put Sean Strickland Down at MMA News.

Jack Hermansson: Unfiltered Strickland Doesn’t Think Before He Speaks

UFC middleweight Jack Hermansson isn’t sure what to completely make of Sean Strickland’s antics ahead of their matchup at UFC Vegas 47. Hermansson is looking to move one step closer to a potential title shot if he can get past Strickland this weekend. However, Strickland presents unique challenges inside and outside of the cage. Strickland […]

Continue Reading Jack Hermansson: Unfiltered Strickland Doesn’t Think Before He Speaks at MMA News.

UFC middleweight Jack Hermansson isn’t sure what to completely make of Sean Strickland’s antics ahead of their matchup at UFC Vegas 47.

Hermansson is looking to move one step closer to a potential title shot if he can get past Strickland this weekend. However, Strickland presents unique challenges inside and outside of the cage.

Strickland has emerged as one of the most controversial figures in the UFC today and is seen by some as the ‘middleweight Colby Covington’ with some of his comments. He doesn’t care how people perceive him on social media or with his unusual post-fight interviews.

Hermansson has never been one to engage in trash talk and often lets his solid grappling base do the talking for him. During a recent interview on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Hermansson gave his thoughts on Strickland’s persona.

“A mix, maybe,” Hermansson said. “I think he’s probably a pretty nice guy. I think he’s a pretty nice guy. But then, just from who he is as a person, and it might be his own character, not somebody else’s, it’s just who he is, he’s very unfiltered. I tend to think a little bit before I speak, and I don’t think he does that [LAUGHS]. “

Despite his controversial views, Strickland has been on fire since moving from welterweight to middleweight. He’s won five straight over the likes of Uriah Hall, Krzysztof Jotko, and Brendan Allen since the move to 185.

Hermansson has been a mainstay in the UFC middleweight title picture but has yet to earn a shot at the belt. He’s previously called himself the toughest matchup for Israel Adesanya and will look to support that claim this weekend.

What’s your prediction for Jack Hermansson vs. Sean Strickland?

Continue Reading Jack Hermansson: Unfiltered Strickland Doesn’t Think Before He Speaks at MMA News.

Sean Strickland Trash Talks Dominick Reyes During Sparring

Sean StricklandAhead of his Octagon return at UFC Vegas 46 this weekend, streaking #7 ranked contender Sean Strickland continued sparring, quite heavily against former two-time light heavyweight title challenger, Dominick Reyes before this weekend’s clash with Jack Hermansson. Strickland, who is in the midst of an impressive five-fight winning spree, most recently bested Uriah Hall with […]

Sean Strickland

Ahead of his Octagon return at UFC Vegas 46 this weekend, streaking #7 ranked contender Sean Strickland continued sparring, quite heavily against former two-time light heavyweight title challenger, Dominick Reyes before this weekend’s clash with Jack Hermansson.

Strickland, who is in the midst of an impressive five-fight winning spree, most recently bested Uriah Hall with a unanimous decision win in his first headlining bout under the promotion’s banner back at UFC Vegas 33 back in July.

Sean Strickland will feature in his second headliner against Jack Hermansson this weekend at UFC Vegas 46

The outspoken North Carolina native was slated to return against former middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold at UFC 268 back in November at Madison Square Garden, until a herniated disc injury forced the former middleweight titleholder from proceedings. 

Set to return to the Octagon this weekend against former Cage Warriors champion and tricky grappler, Hermansson, footage emerged detailing a sparring session between Sean Strickland and former two-time light heavyweight title challenger, Dominick Reyes – with the two sporting four-ounce gloves as the vocal Strickland continually trash talks the Hesperia native. 

During exchanges, Sean Strickland praises Reyes’ striking before telling the Californian to stop laughing, telling him, “I’m here to hurt you” and that “You’re here to play”. 

Strickland then blocks a shot from Reyes before telling him “I’m trying to f*cking put you down.” Eating a right-hand counter soon thereafter, Strickland exclaims, “Here we f*cking go.” 

Back in October 2020, Strickland landed his second consecutive victory of his current streak in a unanimous decision win over Wales native, Jack Marshman, repeatedly urging him to throw in the final minute of the three round fight, and asking him “why won’t you fall, Jack?” Following the klaxon and upon waiting on the official result, Strickland then asked, “Jack, why is your head made of steel?”

Amongst his Octagon victories, the Xtreme Couture trainee has bested the likes of Krzysztof Jotko, Brendan Allen, Nordine Taleb, Court McGee, and Alex Garcia to name a few.

EXCLUSIVE | Jack Hermansson Open To Future Fight With Compatriot Khamzat Chimaev

Jack HermanssonJack Hermansson says there’s a definite chance that he will square off against his compatriot, Khamzat Chimaev, inside the UFC Octagon down the line. Hermansson is currently mounting a middleweight title charge and will look to take one step closer to 185lb gold when he takes on Sean Strickland at UFC Vegas 47 on February […]

Jack Hermansson

Jack Hermansson says there’s a definite chance that he will square off against his compatriot, Khamzat Chimaev, inside the UFC Octagon down the line.

Hermansson is currently mounting a middleweight title charge and will look to take one step closer to 185lb gold when he takes on Sean Strickland at UFC Vegas 47 on February 5.

‘The Joker’ only fought once during 2021 and in an effort to stay busy during his downtime, took on Chimaev in a grappling match, suffering a dominant defeat at the hands of the UFC’s newest star.

After grappling and training with ‘The Wolf’, Hermansson has a better understanding than most about just how good Chimaev actually is.

“He has two things that are very special about him, or three actually,” Jack Hermansson said during a recent interview with LowKickMMA. “One, he is an extremely good wrestler. Two, he is ridiculously strong for a welterweight, just extremely strong. He looks tall and lanky but (he is) very, very, very strong. Three, I’ve been training with him as well so, I know he has a big punch. He has a lot of power in punches as well. So, yeah, he could definitely be a light-heavyweight when it comes to strength and punching power.”

Hermansson is keen to avenge his grappling loss to Chimaev and is hoping the two can run it back in a submission wrestling-style match-up in the near future.

“For right now, I would love to have a rematch in the grappling, in submission wrestling. I feel like that’s my area, you know. He’s a freestyle wrestler and I see myself as grappling, submission wrestling – that’s my best skill. So, I would love to have a rematch in that.

The 33-year-old understands that a fight with his fellow Swede is “definitely” on the cards down the line but for now Hermansson is intent on chasing the middleweight title while Chimaev is pursuing gold at welterweight.

“When it comes to MMA, I definitely think there’s a possibility that we’re gonna fight but I don’t think that is a fight to do at the moment,” Hermansson said. “It has to be in the right timeline. As you mentioned, he’s hunting the gold in welterweight, I’m hunting the gold at middleweight. I’m not fighting in both weight classes, he does. If he is on his way up in my weight class and we are getting closer to each other, definitely that is a fight we could do. Right now, I don’t see that fight happening in the closest time but it’s possible in the future.”

Do you think we’ll see Jack Hermansson vs. Khamzat Chimaev?

Hermansson’s Strickland Game Plan: Hit Him & Make It A Quick Night

UFC middleweight contender Jack Hermansson is hoping to avoid a long night at UFC Vegas 47 by finishing Sean Strickland inside the opening two rounds.

For the third time in as many bouts, Hermansson will be fighting down the rankings on February 5….

Jack Hermansson, Sean Strickland

UFC middleweight contender Jack Hermansson is hoping to avoid a long night at UFC Vegas 47 by finishing Sean Strickland inside the opening two rounds.

For the third time in as many bouts, Hermansson will be fighting down the rankings on February 5. After a memorable first-round submission win against Kelvin Gastelum shot him into title contention in 2020, a main event loss to then-rising contender Marvin Vettori stalled his championship aspirations.

Having rebounded by adding another defeat to the record of Edmen Shahbazyan last year, “The Joker” is hoping to halt the charge of Strickland in what will be the 33-year-old’s fourth headlining bout in MMA’s premier promotion.

Ahead of his return to the Octagon, Hermansson spoke to MMA News about the threat “Tarzan” poses, his experience wrestling Khamzat Chimaev in 2021, Francis Ngannou’s ongoing contractual dispute with the UFC, and his thoughts on the upcoming 185-pound title fight between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker.

Hermansson Looks To Avoid “Grueling” Fight

In Hermansson’s way of staking a claim for a championship opportunity is Strickland, a unique, and perhaps downright bizarre, individual. But whether fans love his carefree attitude or look down at his outspoken personality, no one can deny his fighting ability.

Since returning from the Octagon in 2020 after two years on the sidelines, “Tarzan” has been at his best. After getting back on track with wins against Nordine Taleb and Jack Marshman, the 30-year-old recorded victories over highly-touted prospect Brendan Allen and middleweight mainstay Krzysztof Jotko.

With a fifth straight win last July, a dominant main event triumph over divisional veteran Uriah Hall, Strickland has established himself as a genuine contender at 185 pounds.

With his opponent’s form and durability in mind, Hermansson is hoping to end things quick come fight night. The Swedish-born Norwegian told MMA News he’s targeting a first or second-round finish when he goes toe-to-toe with Strickland inside Las Vegas’ Apex facility.

To do so, the game plan is simple: hit him.

“You know, I don’t want a hard, tough, long, grueling fight with Sean, even though I know that’s a possibility,” Hermansson told James Lynch. “I want a quick, nice finish and that’s how I envision the fight (going). So, I’m gonna go in there, I’m gonna be precise, and I’m gonna hit him and make it a quick night. First or second-round finish.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZH1SWBvdk2/

If Hermansson is to ascend closer to a date with the champion, he’ll have to join an exclusive club that currently boasts only reigning welterweight king Kamaru Usman, 28-5 UFC vet Santiago Ponzinibbio, and knockout machine Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos.

That club? The group of fighters who have managed to have their hand raised against “Tarzan.”

Given only three have managed it in Strickland’s 27 professional fights, Hermansson will certainly have to be at his best to get the job done on Saturday night.

Who do you think will have their hand raised in the UFC Vegas 47 main event, Jack Hermansson or Sean Strickland?

Continue Reading Hermansson’s Strickland Game Plan: Hit Him & Make It A Quick Night at MMA News.

Sean Strickland: I Want To Take Jack Hermansson’s Soul & Watch Him Bleed

Sean Strickland has intense emotions about his upcoming main event fight against Jack Hermansson.

Strickland’s fight against Hermansson is still two months out, but he already has intense emotions about how the bout could play out. The rising middl…

Sean Strickland

Sean Strickland has intense emotions about his upcoming main event fight against Jack Hermansson.

Strickland’s fight against Hermansson is still two months out, but he already has intense emotions about how the bout could play out. The rising middleweight contender said recently that when he meets Hermansson in UFC’s February 5th headliner, he hopes to “take everything” from Hermansson, including his “soul.”

The ranked middleweight mentioned his violent plans in a recent interview.

“I think it’s going to be a kickboxing match. I think we’re going to stand and bang. Obviously, it’s a fight, anything happens, but like the fourth round I want to f*cking take his soul,” Strickland said to MMA Junkie. “I want to take everything from him. I want to watch him bleed. I want to watch him hurt. The fourth round I really just want to f*cking put it on him.”

Jack Hermansson Provides Big Challenge For Sean Strickland

Sean Strickland
Sean Strickland

While confident in his words and planning to bring violence, Strickland undoubtedly has a big challenge ahead of him, as Hermansson is a tough contender in his own right.

Hermansson has won three of his last five bouts. His recent losses have come against big names in the division like Jared Cannonier and Marvin Vettori. His last appearance was in May, where he beat prospect Edmen Shahbazyan on the judges’ scorecards.

A win for Strickland will continue his quick and successful rise up the 185-pound division. Strickland won his first UFC main event in July, defeating Uriah Hall on scorecards. The fight was his fourth victory since returning in the fall of 2020.

Strickland envisions a victory next year, potentially setting him up for a fight against the UFC middleweight champion. He expects the result of his fight, along with an upcoming clash between Derek Brunson and Jared Cannonier, to determine who is next in line for champion Israel Adesanya.

Who is your pick for the early February main event? Sean Strickland or Jack Hermansson?

Continue Reading Sean Strickland: I Want To Take Jack Hermansson’s Soul & Watch Him Bleed at MMA News.