Jack Hermansson made a triumphant return to the octagon at UFC Fight Night 236, proving that he is still a force to be reckoned with in the middleweight division. After a career-long layoff, Hermansson faced off against Joe Pyfer in the main event matchup at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The fight started with Pyfer coming out strong, landing a leg kick and a left hand. He continued to press the action, targeting Hermansson’s body. However, Hermansson quickly found his rhythm, countering with a left hand and a calf kick. The back-and-forth action set the tone for an exciting fight.
Throughout the match, fans and experts took to social media to share their thoughts on the fight. Cageside Press tweeted, “Joe going after Jack off the rip,” highlighting Pyfer’s aggressive approach. Caposa expressed curiosity about Pyfer’s performance in later rounds, hoping to see how he would fare. Alan Jouban praised Pyfer’s use of feints to set up his attacks, while Luke Thomas noted that Pyfer was making Hermansson pay for reaching.
As the fight progressed, it became clear that Pyfer was landing the bigger shots in the first round. Nick Baldwin tweeted, “Pyfer landed the bigger shots in Round 1,” giving him the edge in the early stages of the fight. However, Belal Muhammad questioned Hermansson’s game plan, suggesting that he should attempt a takedown to mix up his striking.
Pyfer’s attacking style left him vulnerable to counters, as noted by Sean Sheehan. He pointed out that Hermansson should take advantage of this weakness and capitalize on Pyfer’s defensive lapses. Aaron Bronsteter scored the fight 20-18 in favor of Pyfer after the second round, but acknowledged that Hermansson was trying to extend the fight into the later rounds.
In the third round, Hermansson started to turn the tide in his favor. He earned Pyfer’s respect with a series of jabs and landed a big right hand. Jed Meshew II criticized Pyfer’s lack of jabs, which seemed to be affecting his performance as he started to tire. Alan Jouban highlighted Hermansson’s success with kick/punch and knee/punch combinations.
The fight continued to intensify, with Scott Fontana scoring the third round 10-9 in favor of Hermansson. This solid comeback round narrowed Pyfer’s lead to 29-28. As the fight entered the final round, Jack Hermansson showcased his veteran savvy, weathering an early storm and making adjustments to his game plan. Luke Thomas praised Hermansson for sticking to what worked and attempting takedowns to secure victory.
In the end, experience prevailed as Hermansson emerged victorious with a unanimous decision victory. Belal Muhammad acknowledged that experience played a crucial role in Hermansson’s win. Other fighters, such as Derek Brunson and Sergio Pettis, congratulated Hermansson on his impressive performance.
After the fight, Hermansson used his mic time to call for the legalization of MMA in Norway and expressed his desire to fight Nassourdine Imavov. Aaron Bronsteter commended Hermansson for using his platform to advocate for the sport.
Overall, Jack Hermansson’s return to the octagon was a resounding success. His win over Joe Pyfer showcased his skill, resilience, and veteran experience. As he looks towards future matchups, Hermansson has solidified his position as a top contender in the middleweight division.
