Jack Hermansson has issued a statement following his recent knockout loss at UFC 317.
The veteran middleweight fighter returned to the octagon after a 16-month absence on Saturday.
His comeback was short-lived and brutal, as Gregory Rodrigues delivered a devastating knockout in the very first round.
The ending of the fight proved controversial. UFC commentator Daniel Cormier criticized the referee, Herb Dean, for a delayed stoppage, particularly after Rodrigues landed an unnecessary follow-up hammerfist while Hermansson was already clearly unconscious. Hermansson remained motionless on the canvas for several minutes after being stopped in the featured preliminary bout.
Jack Hermansson Comments on the KO Defeat
Hermansson`s ninth professional MMA loss ignited a significant debate among fight fans online.
Some criticized Rodrigues for his actions immediately after the knockout, deeming the follow-up punch reckless.
Meanwhile, others focused blame on referee Herb Dean`s failure to intervene sooner to protect Hermansson.
The fighter himself has now broken his silence regarding the uproar, though he did not directly address the controversy surrounding the stoppage or follow-up shots.
Instead, Hermansson took personal responsibility for what he described as a `mistake` that led to the finish and offered congratulations to his opponent.
No need to sugar coat it.
I made a mistake. I got knocked out.
Congratulations to my opponent @gregoryrodriguesmma, well done.
Thank you to my team and supporters. I will be back.
Gregory Rodrigues Defends Follow-Up Punch
Gregory Rodrigues later responded to the backlash regarding his `unnecessary` follow-up strike during the post-fight press conference.
The Brazilian KO artist was defiant, stating, “First of all, I don’t care what the people think.”
He emphasized the nature of fighting: “When you go inside the cage, we sign the contract, we’re able to do everything.”
Rodrigues argued that if the roles were reversed and Hermansson had done the same, he wouldn`t be upset, adding, “He did his job.”
Despite his defense of his actions, Rodrigues added a note of concern for his opponent: “But, I hope he’s okay. He’s a warrior like me.”
He reiterated his commitment to fighting until the referee stops it: “I’m not gonna stop till the ref [says] stop. I just did my job, and I’m gonna keep doing that.”
“That’s what I do. That’s what he does, and it is what it is. That was my night,” Rodrigues concluded.
