Saturday’s UFC Vegas 86 main event between Jack Hermansson and Joe Pyfer featured an impressive first round with Pyfer really getting his striking going, landing lots of shots to the head and body of the Swede.
However while Pyfer had his opponent hurt in the first frame, he wasn’t able to get the finish. As round two went on, it was clear that Hermansson would have to weather the storm and drag the fight to deep waters.
Sweden’s Hermansson began to find his success and have his moments in round three as his jab grew effective and his leg kicks began to tax the mobility of Pyfer. Hermansson had the cardio advantage and really found himself in rounds three and four, landing lots of his shots.
Going into round five, it could very well have been 2-2 on the scorecards. Hermansson took Pyfer to the ground with a takedown around the three minute mark of round five and executed strong top pressure with ground and pound for the remainder of the round.
Hermansson took the nod from the judges in the fight by unanimous decision (48-47 x3). The win sees “The Joker” bounce back from a loss to Roman Dolidze, while Contender Series alum Pyfer suffers his first loss under the UFC banner – in his first time ever going past three rounds. Come Tuesday, Hermansson may find himself back in the top 15, given he came into the fight ranked #11 in the UFC’s middleweight division.
Here’s how some of Jack Hermansson’s peers saw the fight:
Joe pyfer has real power and Jack has the experience. But pyfer is looking really composed. #ufcfightnight
— Randy Brown (@TouchNgo_) February 11, 2024
2-2 goin into the fifth let’s go boys!! @ufc #ufcfightnight #ufc
— Charles "InnerG" Johnson (@InnerGmma) February 11, 2024
Experience won this fight
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) February 11, 2024
Old dog showing what’s up#ufc
— Marvin Vettori (@MarvinVettori) February 11, 2024
48-47 Hermansson for me #UFCVegas86
— Jillian DeCoursey (@lionheartjill) February 11, 2024
It’s a different ball game when you get inside that top 10. I fought over a decade inside the TOP 10 . Not many can say they have , Even past champs . A lot have reached the high and faded big , then lose 8 in a row like Johnny Hendricks ! Joe will learn from this ! #MMA
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) February 11, 2024
Clean 3-2 and Pyfer wins!!!
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) February 11, 2024
I've said it a thousand times, losing a round means nothing. And 5 round fights are a whole different monster. Way to go Jack, veteran performance, and Pyfer has nothing to be ashamed of. Big step up and he performed admirably.
— Chris Curtis The Action Man (@Actionman513) February 11, 2024
