Las Vegas — Immediately following Gregory Rodrigues’ finish of Jack Hermansson at UFC 317, debate erupted.
“Robocop” returned to the win column with a violent knockout of Sweden’s Jack “The Joker” Hermansson on Saturday, one that saw the big Swede hit the canvas hard, head bouncing. That wasn’t the problem, however. The follow-up hammerfist was.
That blow was seen as needless by many, though in fairness to Rodrigues, referee Herb Dean hadn’t made it on scene to halt the fight. It all happened in a matter of seconds, but the debate raged regardless: was it an unnecessary blow, or an unfortunate part of the sport, where the fight continues until the ref intervenes?
“First of all, I don’t care what people think man. When you go inside the cage, we sign the contract, we’re able to [do] everything,” Rodrigues (17-6) said following the fight, speaking with media outlets including Cageside Press. “Because if it was the other side and he did the same, why are you going to be mad with him or something like that? He did his job.”
Rodrigues, however, isn’t oblivious to the dangers fighters face inside the cage. “I hope he’s okay. He’s a warrior like me,” he continued. “But like you said, I’m not going to stop til the ref says stop. So I just did my job, and I’m going to keep doing that. That’s what I do, that’s what he does, and it is what it is. That was my night.”
It took Hermansson several minutes just to sit up after being knocked out cold. He did leave the cage under his own power, however, and medical results later came back negative, per promotion officials.
The knockout, meanwhile, “was part of the game plan,” though the middleweight added that “I was able to fight three rounds. We don’t look for the finishes, they just happen.”
“My hand just connected, I think it was one of the most beautiful knockouts I’ve had in my career,” Rodrigues later exclaimed.
The win over Hermansson saw Rodrigues bounce back from being finished himself at the hands of Jared Cannonier earlier this year. A quick turnaround seems to be on the Brazilian’s mind. “I can fight next week. Let’s go!” he said eagerly.
Yet after a disappointing loss to Cannonier, Rodrigues has made sure to change his approach to fighting. At least part of the goal now is that “I want to enjoy this journey more,” he told Cageside Press.
“I want to enjoy being in the cage, I want to enjoy my walkout, I want to enjoy the fight week. Because that’s just one ride, it’s not going to come back. In my last fight against Jared, there was so much pressure on me. I put the pressure on me. That’s not necessary. but in this fight I was very free. I don’t care about the result, if I win or lose, I was just going to do my best inside the octagon.”
“I did my work, I’m so glad, I’m so proud. It’s a beautiful win, but even if the win didn’t come, I’m still going to be happy,” Rodrigues finished. “That’s life. I’m glad.”
Watch the full UFC 317 post-fight press conference with Gregory Rodrigues above.
