The emotions of the UFC began on February 5, 2022, and the middleweight category experienced a very interesting evening at the Octagon in Las Vegas with the excellent fight between Jack Hermansson and Sean Strickland as the main course. The Norwegian (of Swedish origin) Hermansson arrived with a record of 22-6-0 (9-4 in the UFC) and ranked #6 in the UFC world ranking. While, the American Strickland, arrived with a record of 24-3-0 (11-3 in the UFC).
With a slight controversy between the judges, the American Strickland did not win unanimously but took the victory (49-46, 47-48, 49-46).
The Norwegian, Hermansson, started the fight trying to impose the rhythm of the fight and attacking with the low kicks that have characterized him throughout his career. While Strickland made clear his position to stay relaxed and attack with the jab to secure distance and avoid suffering from Hermansson’s deadly low kicks.
By the second round, Strickland managed to reverse the situation and began to handle his opponent’s long combinations excellently. Hermansson began to get desperate early in the second round, as blows to the head from Strickland kept him on the brink of knockout.
At the end of the second round, the American’s dominance was total and, after a terrible right hand from Sean on the Joker, he was about to end Hermansson’s aspirations, but bell avoided the knockout and could not finish it.
In the third round, Strickland’s dominance was much greater, with a large number of combinations of punches and kicks, the American gradually wore down Hermansson, as well as adding important points that ultimately gave him victory. The European, Hermansson was trying to recover, but he was too beaten and worn out to land all of his shots.
The American continued very calmly until the end of the fight and although the search for the miracle by the Norwegian complicated him at times and he received several blows that even broke his nose; left punches allowed him to keep his opponent away.
Already in the fifth and last round, Hermansson, went out to risk in search of the miracle and try to find a knockout that would give him victory, since it was clear that the cards would favor the American. The Joker looked to use the same strategies from the first round with long combinations, but Strickland didn’t fall for the trap and without concern and continued with the jab and managed to take a split decision victory.
After this victory, Strickland hopes to have all the necessary merits to get his long-awaited opportunity to fight for the title of the UFC middleweight division.
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