Middleweights Jack Hermansson and Gregory Rodrigues capped off the UFC 317 prelims on Saturday, with Jack “The Joker” competing for the first time since February of 2024.
That fight had seen the Swedish star earn a win over Joe Pyfer; since then, “Robocop” Rodrigues (who had competed on the very same night) had fought twice, earning a win over Christian Leroy Duncan before being stopped by Jared Cannonier.
Rodrigues got his hands going early in Saturday’s featured prelim, firing lefts and rights and forcing Hermansson back. That set the tone early; Rodrigues was more often than not pressing forward, Hermansson working on the outside, occasionally countering. Hermansson did manage to land a few of those counters, but “Robocop,” while fighting at a measured pace, was the busier fighter.
It mattered not, however, as Rodrigues floored Hermansson with a left hook late in the round. The blow connected squarely on the chin. Hermansson went sailing back, and with the ref slow to intervene, Rodrigues added one more hammer fist, wholly unncessary under the circumstances, but more the fault of the ref. It was a could couple of minutes before Hermansson finally sat up, which brought about a cheer from the crowd.
Following the win, Robocop exclaimed “I’m in here to take this over,” saying he was a “guy that takes on a challenge” without calling out anyone in particular. Rodrigues now has eight wins overall in the UFC. Hermansson drops to 2-2 across his last four with the loss.
Official Result: Gregory Rodrigues def. Jack Hermansson by knockout, Round 1, 4:21
