LAS VEGAS – Jack Hermansson knows recent setbacks to Marvin Vettori and Jared Cannonier have slowed his chase of the UFC’s middleweight title. However, he also thinks that the state of the division may mean he’s not as far away from a title shot as you might think.
“I feel I am at my peak right now, and I’m just getting better,” Hermansson told MMA Junkie at Wednesday’s media day at the UFC Apex. “It has been a few up and downs, but the margin for error is so small in this sport, and I just need to put everything together – and when I do that, I know that I can become the best.”
Hermansson (22-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) faces another stiff challenge in the main event of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 200 when he takes on Sean Strickland (24-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC) at the UFC Apex in a headliner that streams on ESPN+. It’s a big one at 185 pounds, with Hermansson sitting at No. 8 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie middleweight rankings and Strickland just behind at No. 10.
Hermansson believes the booking proves where the promotion believes he stands.
“I’m super happy to be in this position,” Hermansson said. “I think you’re privileged as a fighter to be headlining a card, and it means that the UFC are appreciating you and see you as one of their main fighters.”
Hermansson said he has respect for Strickland’s skills and is expecting a stern test in the matchup. However, he also believes he’s capable of doing something spectacular in the contest.
“He’s a guy who has a great record, and in middleweights, he’s undefeated,” Hermansson said. “He looks great. Great win streak, so you’ve got to give it to him. He’s a guy that always comes forward, full pressure, and most people seem to have trouble to handle that.
“You know, you’re always trying to do your best, but I visualize it. It’s in my mind. I don’t want to do a tough, long, grueling fight against Sean Strickland. I want to have a perfect performance, so precision, perfection, early, nice, clean victory. Dominance. That’s what I’m looking for.”
Should he be able to execute that plan, Hermansson believes very big things will follow. After all, at next week’s UFC 271 event, the middleweight title will be on the line with champ Israel Adesanya in a rematch with former titleholder Robert Whittaker, and fellow top contenders Derek Brunson and Jared Cannonier also booked on the card.
With that in mind, Hermansson believes there is a real opportunity for him to make a push to the very top of the division with a big win.
“I’m always trying to find my way up there,” Hermansson said. “You have a couple of guys that are fighting, and it’s going to be interesting to see how it goes, but I feel with a great win here, I’m putting myself next in line.
“I do a good enough performance, you know, and then it depends on the other contenders. Brunson, Cannonier, how will they perform? Are they going to do an exciting fight or not? You know, we have had a lot of rematches just lately. Vettori against Adesanya. Now Whittaker against Adesanya. Do we want to see Brunson against Adesanya? I’m not sure. You know, I think people want to see Jack Hermansson and Adesanya.”
To see the full interview with Hermansson, check out the video above.
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