Jack Hermansson has released a statement following his recent knockout defeat at UFC 317. The veteran middleweight fighter, returning after a significant layoff, suffered a brutal first-round KO against Gregory Rodrigues.
The knockout was followed by controversy, as UFC commentator Daniel Cormier criticized the referee`s delayed stoppage after Hermansson was hit with an unnecessary follow-up hammerfist while seemingly unconscious, leaving him motionless for several minutes during the preliminary feature bout.
Jack Hermansson Responds to Knockout Defeat
Hermansson`s loss ignited debate among fans. Some criticized Rodrigues` actions immediately after the KO, while others questioned referee Herb Dean`s timing in stopping the fight. However, Hermansson himself did not comment on the controversy in his statement.
Instead, he accepted responsibility for making a `mistake` and offered congratulations to his opponent.
Sharing footage of the knockout, Hermansson wrote:
“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 Addresses Post-Fight Actions
Responding to criticism regarding his actions after the knockout, Rodrigues stated at the post-fight press conference that he disregarded external opinions.
“First of all, I don’t care what the people think,” he asserted.
He explained that fighters sign a contract enabling them to perform fully within the cage, suggesting the situation would be the same if roles were reversed. “When you go inside the cage, we sign the contract, we’re able to do everything,” Rodrigues added.
While expressing hope for Hermansson`s well-being and calling him a `warrior,` Rodrigues maintained that he was simply `doing his job` by continuing until the referee intervened.
“I’m not gonna stop till the ref [says] stop. I just did my job, and I’m gonna keep doing that,” Rodrigues said. “That’s what I do. That’s what he does, and it is what it is. That was my night.”
