The UFC is making its first-ever stop in Copenhagen, Denmark at the Royal Arena this Saturday night. Headlining the event is a tilt in the middleweight division that could have a new title challenger emerging as Jack “The Joker” Hermansson collides with Jared “The Killa Gorilla” Cannonier. The Sweden native, Hermansson, is a -280 favorite with the American, Cannonier, coming back at +220.
Jack Hermansson vs Jared Cannonier
Date/Time: Saturday, September 28, 11:00 a.m. ET
TV Coverage: ESPN+
Sportsbook Odds: Hermansson (-210) | Cannonier (+160) (Line History)
Odds Analysis
The Joker hasn’t been this big a favorite since he fought Brad Scott in August 2017, a span of five fights – he won that bout via first-round knockout. That being said, Hermansson was favored in four of those, his only time as an underdog coming against Jacare Souza in April of this year, a fight Hermansson won by unanimous decision.
This is the second time in three middleweight fights that the Killa Gorilla has been an underdog, but he eyes a third straight win in his new division. Cannonier was a slight -125 favorite in his last appearance in May against legend Anderson Silva – the Killa Gorilla won that bout with a first-round TKO following a knee injury for Silva.
How Will This Fight Play Out?
Hermansson is a very active fighter who is light on his feet and has fast hands. He mixes his strikes up well with long kicks and constantly throws his jab out to batter his opponent and set up heavier strikes. Of his 20 professional wins, 11 have been by knockout and five by submission. With his high pace and accurate strikes, opponents will often shoot for a takedown, which usually ends poorly for them as the Joker’s squeeze is high level, especially his guillotine.
Cannonier has top-level power for the middleweight division as he used to fight – and knock guys out – in the heavyweight division. The Killa Gorilla is a patient fighter who will march his opponent down but is predominantly a counter-striker, throwing everything he has on every punch or kick. His takedown defense has been an issue in the past as he only stuffs 44 percent of takedown attempts, but on the floor, he does a good job using his strength and scrambling ability to get the fight back to the feet.
If Cannonier wants to win this fight, he will have to corner Hermansson and avoid the takedowns. Meanwhile, the path of least resistance for the Joker would be to take the Killa Gorilla to the floor and rough him up.
Prediction: Jack Hermansson (-250) via knockout
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jack Hermansson | -280 |
| Jared Cannonier | +220 |
Odds as of September 28 at Sportsbook
