Jack Hermansson scored a huge first-round submission win over Kelvin Gastelum in their UFC Fight Island 2 co-main event in Abu Dhabi.
A key middleweight bout served as the UFC Fight Island 2 co-main event. In it, both Jack Hermansson and Kelvin Gastelum would look to return to the winner’s circle.
The significant was simple: a week later, Robert Whittaker would face Darren Till. The winners of these two fights could find themselves match up in a title eliminator. A big performance could even see one cut the line. While Israel Adesanya was expected to face Paulo Costa yet, nothing was set in stone.
A win Saturday, however, was crucial. A statement victory, even more so. Hermansson goes for the takedown but Gastelum gets the reversal and ends up on top. After a scramble, Hermansson locks in the heel hook, and it’s deep. Gastelum has no choice but to tap out, and that’s it.
😳😳😳😳 #UFCFightIsland2 pic.twitter.com/iHGgsTWo08
— UFC (@ufc) July 19, 2020
Following the victory, Hermansson again suggested a match-up between himself and the winner of Robert Whittaker vs. Darren Till. That fight goes down next weekend, as the main event of UFC Fight Island 3, the promotion’s final event this month.
Official Result: Jack Hermansson def. Kelvin Gastelum via R1 submission (heel hook, 1:15)
