February 5th: Jack Hermansson vs. Sean Strickland
A fight between two title contenders is always a good fight for the division, and this is no different. Hermansson is currently on a bit of a skid, but is still a tough, elite fighter at 185 lbs. On the flip side, Sean Strickland is on a 5-fight streak; his last win being an impressive victory over fan favorite Uriah Hall.
Jack Hermansson: Hermansson is an elite middleweight, but he’s had a streak of bad luck as he still hasn’t secured a title shot. He’s a rugged fighter with good standup and ground game, but he does have some gaps in his defenses as showcased by Vetorri in his last outing. Still, he’s certainly no pushover and will try to bring the fight to Strickland.
Sean Strickland: Sean Strickland has been on a streak since moving up to 185 from 170, picking up 5 straight wins. To his credit, he’s been calling out Hermansson for a while, and this fight is just what both need. Sean will likely try and grind out a points win at close range, which funny enough, gives Hermansson a chance to work despite being the shorter man. It will be fun to see Strickland against someone who actually wants to be at the same range.
Prediction: Strickland by Points. I think he’s on a streak for a reason, and Hermansson’s spotty defense will come back to haunt him.
HOW TO WATCH: Live on ESPN+ on February 5, 2022 at 7:00 PM ET.