Jack Hermansson battles back to beat Joe Pyfer in UFC Vegas 86 main event

The UFC Apex in Las Vegas hosted Saturday’s UFC Vegas 86 fight card.  The event was headlined by a middleweight bout between 11th-ranked Jack Hermansson and Joe Pyfer.  

Hermansson was coming off a loss to tenth-ranked Roman Dolidze and hadn’t fought since December 2022. He’s struggled to put together a win streak over the past five years stuck in a pattern of winning one and losing the next.

Pyfer was riding a five-fight winning streak finishing each of the five opponents. His last loss came in 2020, and he’s only gone to a decision or to the third round once in his career.

Pyfer connects first with a leg kick followed by a left hand.  He delivered another leg kick followed by a left hand.  Hermansson answered with a leg kick.  Pyfer delivered a hard leg kick.  A left hand caused Hermansson to retreat.  Pyfer connected with a combination.  Hermansson responded with a kick to the body.  Pyfer landed a right hand that got Hermansson’s attention.  

With 90 seconds remaining in the round, Pyfer landed his jab.  Hermansson connected with a counter right hand.  Pyfer’s jab continued to find a home.  Pyfer won the first round.  

Hermansson’s attack has been kick heavy to keep Pyfer on the outside.  Pyfer connected with a hard combination.  Hermansson pressed forward but was hit with a right hand.  Hermansson quickly changed levels and looked to get the fight to the ground.  Pyfer defended the takedown attempt and went back to landing his jab.  

Hermansson began pressuring Pyfer.  They exchanged leg kick and the pace slowed a bit.  Hermansson landed a kick to the body.  Pyfer picked up the offense but Hermansson deflected most of the shots.  The second frame was a close round.  Pyfer’s corner told him that he won the round.   

Hermansson came out in the third round and pressured Pyfer.  Pyfer backed him up with his jab.  Hermansson landed his jab as Pyfer moved forward.  He conceded with a right hand a a knee.  Hermansson delivered a hard leg kick.  He backed Pyfer up with a stiff jab.  They exchanged right hands.  Pyfer looked for a takedown and ate a right hand.  Hermansson came on strong in the third.  Pyfer wobbled Hermansson with a right hand.  Pyfer went for a takedown in the final seconds.  Hermansson stuffed the attempt and responded with punches and a jumping knee.  The third round went to Hermansson.

Hermansson landed two leg kicks to start the fourth.  Pyfer briefly looked for a takedown.  Hermansson’s jab repeatedly landed.  Pyfer connected with a left hook and clinched.  They separated wit three minutes remaining in the round.  Hermansson stepped in with a right hand.  Pyfer clinched but was unable to get Hermansson to the ground.  Hermansson’s jab continued to land.  Hermansson defended a takedown attempt and the two exchanged leg kicks.  Round 4 likely went to Hermansson.  

Heading into the final round, the bout may have been 2-2.  They both entered the final round throwing heavy shots.  Hermansson landed a leg kick.  Hermansson backed Pyfer up and connected with a right hand.  Hermansson changed levels and put Pyfer on his back.  He delivered short right hands.  With a minute left on the clock. Hermansson maintained top control.  In the closing seconds, Hermansson postured up and delivered punches.  Hermansson won the three rounds on our scorecards.  

The judges scored the fight for Hermansson via unanimous decision.  All three scorecards read 48-47.