Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight contender Jack Hermansson has been trying to finagle a fight with fellow 185-pound bruiser Paulo Costa for nearly two years, but “The Eraser” was sidelined with an injured arm.
Then sidelined by Israel Adesanya’s fist.
With the Brazilian already booked to throw hands with Jared Cannonier later this year, it’s unlikely “The Joker” will get a spot in line, which is why he’s volunteering to face the winner of Derek Brunson vs. Darren Till, who collide on Aug. 14 at APEX in Las Vegas.
“I want to be fighting guys like Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, the winner of Brunson and Till could be a potential fight, so yeah, those guys,” Hermansson told reporters (via MMA Junkie) after defeating Edmen Shahbazyan at UFC Vegas 27. “It depends when I have a good opponent, but I want one more fight this year for sure. If any of the big guys are ready for me this year, I’m up for it.”
He may face competition from the winner of this fight.
Hermansson (22-6), who turns 33 in just a few weeks, battled his way into contention with four straight wins, including his April 2019 victory over Ronaldo Souza, but has since gone 2-2, falling to Cannonier and top contender Marvin Vettori.
Expect the 185-pound landscape to look dramatically different by September.