AT A GLANCE
When is UFC on ESPN+ 8? Sunday 28th April, 2019 - 00:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN+ 8? BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida
What channel is UFC on ESPN+ 8 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN+ 8? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
Are tickets still available for UFC on ESPN+ 8? http://uk.ufc.com/event-ticket-info?utm_source=ufc&utm_medium=tab&utm_campaign=tickets
THE STATISTICS
THE LOWDOWN
Florida was set to host UFC on ESPN 3 but now it is scheduled to air on ESPN+ changing the event to UFC Fight Night 150. Yoel Romero was also originally scheduled to headline a rematch with Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza but after pulling out with pneumonia, Jack Hermansson has stepped up to the plate for the biggest fight of his career.
Hermansson is in red hot form with consecutive wins over Thales Leites, Gerald Meerschaert and David Branch and with little surprise to his fans, he finished all of these fights. After losing his two Bellator fights with a record of 5-2, the Swede racked up nine wins collecting the CWFC middleweight championship in the process.
He has only lost two of his nine UFC fights (Cezar Ferreira – submission, Thiago Santos - knockout) and now meets Jacare making the quick turnaround from his submission win over Branch in March.
Jacare is not bothered about who he fights as long as he gets a title shot with a win. He has even claimed that he will retire if he does not get his wish but now he fights Hermansson as opposed to Romero so nothing can be certain.
THE PREDICTION
Although Jacare has stumbled while on the cusp of a title shot with losses to the likes of Romero, Robert Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum, he continues to prove age is just a number by evolving his game. We know he is one of the most deadly submission artists in MMA but he has put everyone on notice with devastating knockout wins over the likes of Vitor Belfort, Derek Brunson and most impressively – Chris Weidman in his last fight.
So, Hermansson knows that the Brazilian’s Jiu-Jitsu is not the only threat but that said, the Swede knows his best chance of winning will be to stick to his game and hunt the finish. His guillotine over the high-level black belt – Branch displayed his talents but Jacare is a different beast and he will look to keep the fight on the feet.
Jacare will still be confident on the feet and his experience will be crucial. The stand-up battle will be fascinating and Hermansson can easily cause the upset and find a knockout but if the submission wizard can cause enough damage, he can drag Hermansson into his waters and finish the fight.
Winner: Souza via Submission
Striking and grappling stats sourced via FightMetric.
