Jack Hermansson was looking forward to facing former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman last May, but the COVID-19 pandemic had that date canceled. This then led to Hermansson being slated for a showdown with Kelvin Gastelum, who recently put on a show, albeit in a loss to Israel Adesanya. Read on for more about this fight below.
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Betting Preview for the Jack Hermansson vs Kelvin Gastelum Middleweight Bout at UFC Fight Night on July 18, 2020
Where: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
When: Saturday, July 18, 2020
Odds: Jack Hermansson (-105) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (-125)
TV Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Betting on Jack Hermansson (-105)
MMA Record: 20-4-0
Hermansson is looking to get back to his winning ways, as he gets back inside the Octagon for the first time since a knockout lo0ss to Jared Cannonier back in September. Before that loss, Hermansson gathered great momentum with four wins in a row, including back-to-back submission victories against Gerald Meerschaert and David Branch. Hermansson has largely made a name for himself with his striking power. He has an 11-2 knockout record, though, he hasn’t won via that route since his meeting with Thales Leites two years ago during UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Machida. However, Hermansson also keeps a 5-2 submission record. Hermansson can use his length and size to neutralize Gastelum’s attacks. Hermansson, at 6’1”, is four inches taller than Gastelum and will have a significant reach advantage of six inches (77.5). He is averaging 4.9 significant strikes per minute and absorbs just 1.77 per minute.
Betting on Kelvin Gastelum (-125)
MMA Record: 16-5-0
Gastelum has not won a fight since a split decision win over Jacare Souza in 2018. In his two fights after that, Gastelum lost to Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision in a title fight and to Darren Till via split decision, both in 2019. There’s nothing spectacular in Gastelum’s game, but he’s a solid striker, able wrestler, and poses threat on the mat since he’s a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belter. He’s good at detecting lapses on the part of his opponents and shooting for a chance to make headway on the ground. Gastelum has six wins via knockout and has never been knocked out yet, which says a lot about his ability to take power strikes and withstand them and also shows his strong striking defense. Gastelum is absorbing just 2.87 significant strikes per minute and prevents 62 percent of opponents’ takedown attempts. Gastelum
Writer’s Prediction
Hermansson wins via split decision.
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