Jack Hermansson and Sean Strickland face off on Saturday in a middleweight showdown in the main event of UFC Vegas 47 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Hermansson is the 6th ranked fighter in the division while Strickland is ranked seventh. These are both fighters that are trying to climb their way up for a title fight, and a win in this fight, will go a long way in getting closer to that point.
Jack “The Joker” Hermansson comes into this fight with a 22-6 record overall but over his last four fights he only has two wins. His last fight came in May of 2021 against Edmen Shahbazyan and that fight was a win by unanimous decision. Hermansson outstruck his opponent 55-40 and he also had three takedowns in that fight. Over his last two fights, Hermansson has had five total takedowns. Hermansson is averaging 4.86 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 3.36 significant strikes per minute. He is averaging 2.09 takedowns every 15 minutes but he is successful on only 36 percent of his attempts. Hermansson also stops 75 percent of his opponents takedown attempts. In this fight, look for Hermansson to try and get the fight to the ground.
On the other side of this matchup is Sean Strickland who sits with a 24-3 record overall and they have won five games in a row. Strickland’s last game was against Uriah Hall in July of 2021 and it was an easy unanimous victory. Strickland outstruck Hall 186-107 and he also had four takedowns. Strickland is averaging 5.45 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 3.73 significant strikes per minute. Strickland is averaging 1.32 takedowns every 15 minutes and he is successful on 61 percent of takedown attempts. He is also stopping 82 percent of his opponents takedown attempts.
Hermansson is a great value in this fight. Even though Strickland is good against takedown attempts, I do think Hermansson finds a way to get the fight to the ground, and he will control the fight once it get down there. Back Hermansson to pull the upset on the money line.
AUTHOR: Shane Mickle
