February is going to define UFC’s middleweight division as two contenders face off this weekend before the title goes on the line next weekend.
This Saturday sees No.6 Jack Hermansson go against No.7 Sean Strickland in an electric bout, with each man seeking to make it one step closer to a title shot.
Clash for a Title Bout
Jack “The Joker” Hermansson will be looking to climb the ranks this weekend against former King of the Cage middleweight Sean Strickland.
Fighting out of Oslo Norway, by way of Uddevalla, Sweden, Hermansson is a fiery fighter, having won his previous bout by a three round unanimous decision over Edmen Shahbazyan. Joker boasts an impressive 22 wins in his professional career with the jab being his striking technique of choice. Before signing to The UFC full time, Hermansson held many jobs including working in a pet shop with endangered animals and being a substitute teacher.
Strickland is on a five fight win streak and has spent the last eight years of his life in the gym preparing for this moment. Having been a fighter since turning pro at 16, the American is a challenging contender and won his last bout via five round unanimous decision over Uriah Hall. Strickland boasts an interesting training programme, choosing to go to the gym between 1AM-3AM to get in the zone. He will be looking for a win at the weekend, and a shot at a title fight.
Bantamweight Brawl
The prelims are set to be full of action this weekend as Julija Stoliarenko faces off against Alexis Davis.
With nine wins in her professional career, but coming off two losses, Stoliarenko will be looking to bounce back this weekend. The Lithuanian first fell in love with martial arts at the age of 12 when her father introduced her to the sport. Now, at the age of 28, she has been the European IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu champion and held the LETHWEI (Burmese boxing) world champion title. Stoliarenko also holds a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences.
Holding 20 professional wins, Alexis Davis will be hoping to make it 21 this weekend. Having turned pro 15 years ago, Davis is a veteran in the sport and an experienced fighter. Her techniques of choice are chokes and knees which have seen her win by decision on multiple occasions. She was given the nickname ‘Alligator’ when training in Florida, due to her strength and adaptability in difficult situations.
European debut
Adding to the prelim excitement, debutant Denys “Psycho” Bondar will be taking on Malcom “X” Gordon.
Walking into the Octagon for the first time, Denys Bondar will be one to watch this weekend. Psycho broke ground on his pro career in 2014, when he put away Vadim Sergeenko with punches in 2:37. The Ukranian’s favourite grappling technique is freestyle wrestling, and he is ready to put on a show and work his way up to the title. Before turning pro, Bondar worked as a gym teacher at a school
Winning his last bout by unanimous decision, Malcom “X” Gordon will be looking to continue his lifelong dream of fighting professionally this weekend. With 13 wins in his professional career, he is a tricky opponent who has been training since he was young. Gordon holds a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Jorge Britto and several titles including, TKO flyweight title, HAVOC FC flyweight title, WXC flyweight title, and Prodigy bantamweight title.