Jack Hermansson Wants Kelvin Gastelum Next, Predicts A First-Round Finish

Jack Hermansson’s profile in the Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight division has never been higher, and his confidence is at an all-time high as well.

Hermansson (20-4) scored a major upset last month, stepping in on three weeks’ notice and taking a clear-cut unanimous decision over perennial top-5 contender Ronaldo Souza in the main event of UFC Fight Night 150. Having also defeated David Branch in March via submission, the two signature victories have propelled the 30-year old “Joker” into title contention.

With current 185-pound champion Robert Whittaker expected to unify his belt against interim champ Israel Adesanya sometime later this year, Hermansson has his sights set on the man ranked just ahead of him, Kelvin Gastelum.

Hermansson said that he wants a bout against the former title challenger at UFC Copenhagen in September and during a fan Q&A session, confidently stated that if the pair were to meet he’d finish him in under a round (via MMAJunkie.com).

“The only person ranked ahead of me that’s available is Kelvin Gastelum so that’s who I want to fight. Kelvin Gastelum, main event (in) Copenhagen in September. That would be something. Of course (I would win in) the first round. Ground-and-pound or the guillotine, for sure.”

Gastelum’s last fight was an epic five-round-war against Adesanya for interim middleweight title back in April at UFC 236.