UFC Fight Island 2 featured an exciting middleweight contest between Jack Hermansson and Kelvin Gastelum. This was a crucial fight for both the fighters. Gastelum was coming off two huge losses against Israel Adesanya and Darren Till. And Hermansson was coming off a TKO loss against Jared Cannonier.
Both fighters were on the rise in the middleweight division until they faced defeat. Gastelum even got close to winning the interim title and he missed out on an opportunity to fight for the undisputed title as Robert Whittaker pulled out due to injury.
A lot was on the stake for both Kelvin Gastelum. However, the outcome of this fight made things worse for the former title challenger.
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The fight was over early in the first round as Hermansson secured a major win with a submission. Hermansson tried to take the fight to the ground early in the fight. But Gastelum reversed the takedown and found himself on top of Hermansson. However, Hermansson is a serious threat on the ground. And Gastelumrealized it a bit too late.
No laughing matter! @jackthejokermma is back in the win column! 👊#UFCFightIsland2 pic.twitter.com/szBEUefHsy
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) July 19, 2020
Gastelum did not show urgency when Hermansson was trying to get the heel hook and found himself in a nasty submission.
Jack Hermansson wants the winner of Darren Till vs Robert Whittaker
After the win, Hermansson and his coach celebrated in a unique fashion where the coach slammed Hermansson on the mat.
With this loss, Kelvin Gastelum is on a three-fight losing streak in the middleweight division. Even though he has lost against the top middleweights in UFC, he really needs to consider his future in the division.
Kelvin Gastelum is only 28 years old. And he has shown some huge potential that has led the fans to believe that he is a future UFC champion. However, does he belong in the middleweight division? or should he consider a move to welterweight division?
After three consecutive losses in the division, Kelvin Gastelum finds himself in the toughest position of his MMA career. Meanwhile, Hermansson is looking to fight the winner of Robert Whittaker and Darren Till. Though that fight is unlikely to happen, Hermansson has the attention of fans and the top middleweights after the impressive performance on major fight night.