Originally penciled in to face Derek Brunson on Saturday’s UFC Orlando main card, Jack Hermansson was instead paired up with Georgian Dolidze in a key middleweight bout.
Dolidze had stepped up on all of ten days’ notice, with a chance to crack to top 15 against the #8-ranked Swede Hermansson.
A former light heavyweight, Dolidze had a slight size advantage over Hermansson, but the Swede was far from timid, firing multiple kicks in the opening minute. Dolidze was the more stationary fighter early, with Hermansson practically bouncing on his feet in comparison.
Slightly ahead of the three-minute mark, Hermansson ducked under and landed a key takedown; Dolidze defended with a guillotine, but didn’t have it. What he did have a moment later was a sweep, but as Dolidze tried to escape, Hermansson stayed on him, tying things up along the fence.
They’d finish off the round at center, with Hermansson likely taking it on the scorecards.
Round two opened with some back-for-forth; Hermansson shot for a takedown just under a minute in, but was too far out. His kicks were on point, however. Dolidize switched stances once, then back again; moments later, he switched stances yet again. With just over two minutes in the frame, Hermansson changed levels and planted Dolidze on his back.
The Georgian looked to sweep, then locked up an arm-bar. He didn’t have that, but the triangle that followed was tighter. Hermansson was just able to pull free, but Dolidze locked up a calf-slicer, had the back, and trapped one wrist! From there, Dolidze was able to pound away with his free hand, and Hermansson was stuck — literally only able to cover up with his free hand until the ref waved things off!
INSANE! Roman Dolidze gets Jack Hermansson in a calf slicer and gets the TKO win with G&P!! 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/CtE4BvBSfP
— 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 @𝗙𝗧𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱𝟳 (@FTBeard7) December 4, 2022
In a fight he might have been losing on the scorecards to that point, Roman Dolidze pulled off an impressive, unique finish — one that should land him another big fight moving forward.
Official Result: Roman Dolidze def. Jack Hermansson by TKO, Round 2, 4:06
