UFC middleweight Jack Hermansson will make his octagon return on Saturday to fight Edmen Shahbazyan in the main card opener. ‘The Joker’ is coming off a loss in his last fight and is 1-2 in his last three outings. Chiefly, Hermansson has run into some roadblocks in the cage and with his health, however, he’s confident in a resurgence.

Jack Hermansson has shown himself to be an all-rounder when it comes to mixing his martial arts together. The Swedish middleweight, who has several knockouts and submission wins to his credit, continues to add new tools to his arsenal. However, his prowess in the grappling department is virtually unparalleled in the division and he’s a menace on the canvas.

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Can Jack Hermansson dethrone Israel Adesanya?

‘The Last Stylebender’ has looked like a beast at middleweight and he’s seemingly untouchable on the feet. However, his last fight against Jan Blachowicz at light heavyweight, which ended in a loss, exposed a possible deficiency in his game. Blachowicz was able to take Adesanya down and keep him there, a feat that middleweight contenders will look to replicate.

Jack Hermansson leads the pack when it comes to elite 185-pounders who are lethal once the fight hits the canvas. His last win against Kelvin Gastelum was a clear indication of that. ‘The Joker’ locked up a fight-ending heel hook on Gastelum in just 78 seconds into the contest on Fight Island.

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Moreover, it’s his ability to dominate on the ground that gives pause for consideration that he could submit Adesanya. Apart from the efficiency with his movement, it’s his technical abilities that are airtight.

Hermansson also tapped out a credentialed middleweight like Gerald Meerschaert via Arm-in Guillotine choke, a rare application without a Gi.

It all boils down to whether Adesanya can ensure that he keeps the fight standing. Should the fight hit the ground, Hermansson will undoubtedly threaten ‘The Last Stylebender’ with submission attempts and perhaps lock one up.

While Gastelum was able to put Israel Adesanya in compromising positions throughout their fight at UFC 236, a grappling phenom like Hermansson will back himself to finish the job.