In a middleweight division full of talent, Sean Strickland has managed to separate himself from the pack. A reserved Strickland beat Jack Hermansson via split decision (49-46, 47-48, 49-46) at UFC Vegas 47 on Saturday night.
Strickland used his jab to outstrike Hermansson and used his defense to avoid all of Hermansson's takedown attempts. Now with the second-longest active win streak (six) in the division, he is looking to fight for the title.
He must await the outcome of UFC 271, which features champion Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker.
"I would love to get a title shot, but as the UFC knows . . . I'm a company man," Strickland, who is ranked seventh, said after the fight inside the UFC's APEX Center. "I will fight who you put in front of me, but if they have the belt, I will be very happy. Whoever has the gold, Whittaker or Adesanya, I would love to get that fight."
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The theme of the fight was Strickland moving and jabbing away from Hermansson, who tried to play it close to the vest. Hermansson tried leg kicks in Round 1, but Strickland jabbed through his defense early. Strickland landed volume blows while Hermansson continued to land calf kicks. Hermansson landed combinations but was 0 for 2 on takedown attempts early on.
While the takedowns weren't working for him, Hermansson found momentum with calf kicks in Round 2. Strickland jabbed away, however, and used combination jabs to break through Hermansson's defense. Strickland landed body shots and a big right dropped Hermansson right before the round ended.
In Round 3, Strickland landed more stiff jabs. After another unsuccessful takedown, Hermansson changed it up with a front kick. He clipped Strickland, but Strickland landed his own shots.
BIG DROP TO END THE ROUND! 😳
— UFC (@ufc) February 6, 2022
The #UFCVegas47 main event keeps rolling on @ESPNPlus. pic.twitter.com/Vzryv4MEbz
Because of Strickland's defense, Hermansson's overhand left, a key component of his offense, was not landing. He decided to land jabs of his own, hitting combination strikes. Strickland landed high kicks and counter crosses. At this point, it appeared as though Strickland wasn't even in a fight because of the lack of damage he took.
Hermansson managed to wake up in the fifth, landing combinations. Strickland started to bleed by the nose. A Superman Punch by Hermansson woke up the crowd, but Strickland landed a few counter rights. The fifth was Hermansson's best round as he focused more on striking. It was not enough to secure the win, however, while a vocal Strickland wanted the best from him before the round ended.
SWINGING IN THE MIDDLE TO END IT ON ESPN+!!!! #UFCVegas47 pic.twitter.com/No6FtPYFDQ
— UFC (@ufc) February 6, 2022
MORE: Strickland on fighting Hermansson, his wrestling and UFC 271 predictions
Strickland, who was competing in the last fight of his current UFC contract, landed more than 100 head shots, which was 80 percent of his offense.
Hermansson, who is now 2-2 in his last four fights, was generous with his shots, mainly body and leg shots. He was 0 for 8 in takedown attempts.
Aside from Adesanya vs. Whittaker 2, Strickland will keep a close eye on another middleweight fight at UFC 271, Derek Brunson vs. Jared Cannonier.
