Jack Hermansson’s fifth time headlining a UFC card proved pivotal in his career trajectory. Despite a lukewarm 1-3 record in previous main events, Hermansson (24-8 MMA, 11-6 UFC) faced speculation of a potential loss against Joe Pyfer (12-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 236 on Saturday at the UFC Apex.
Facing adversity, Hermansson initially struggled, dropping the opening two rounds against the formidable Pyfer in their middleweight clash. However, displaying resilience and experience, Hermansson rallied in the final three rounds, securing a hard-earned unanimous decision victory.
The win was particularly significant for Hermansson, marking his return to competition after a lengthy 14-month hiatus due to injury, during which he hadn’t tasted victory in almost 19 months.
Employing his seasoned five-round fight experience against Pyfer, Hermansson showcased his readiness for greater challenges ahead. Ranked No. 15 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie middleweight rankings, Hermansson now looks poised to ascend further in the division.
Expressing his confidence and ambition, Hermansson called out Nassourdine Imavov, fresh off a victory over Roman Dolidze in a recent main event at the same venue. While the matchup may not immediately captivate fans, it presents a logical progression for both fighters.
Although Hermansson expressed interest in facing formidable opponents like Khamzat Chimaev or Brendan Allen, the path to those matchups remains uncertain.
Currently, Imavov appears to be the most suitable opponent, offering an intriguing main event option either at the UFC Apex or potentially on a European fight card, given both fighters’ European origins.
With Hermansson eyeing new challenges and opportunities, a matchup against Imavov seems to be the logical next step in his journey toward further success in the middleweight division.
