Jack Hermansson has issued a statement on social media following his loss at UFC 317.
The long-time middleweight contender returned from a 16-month layoff on Saturday.
It didn’t go well as Gregory Rodrigues brutally knocked him out cold in the very first round.
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier complained about the referee when Jack Hermansson’s lifeless body was hit with a wildly unnecessary follow-up hammerfist that left him motionless on the canvas for several minutes following the featured UFC 317 prelim.
Jack Hermansson reacts to KO loss at UFC 317
Hermansson’s ninth pro-MMA loss triggered a fiery debate among fight fans on social media.
Some called out Rodrigues for his reckless behavior in the immediate aftermath of his KO win.
Meanwhile, others focused on referee Herb Dean’s failure to protect Hermansson when he went out.
The man himself didn’t address any of the uproar surrounding his fight when he broke his silence.
Instead, Hermansson took responsibility for a fight-ending ‘mistake’ and congratulated his opponent.
“No need to sugar coat it,” he wrote alongside brutal footage of the cringeworthy KO.
“I made a mistake. I got knocked out.
“Congratulations to my opponent @gregoryrodriguesmma, well done.
“Thank you to my team and supporters. I will be back.”
Gregory Rodrigues refuses to say sorry
Rodrigues responded to the backlash about his ‘unnecessary’ follow-up punch during a post-fight press conference.
“First of all, I don’t care what the people think,” the Brazilian KO artist insisted.
“When you go inside the cage, we sign the contract, we’re able to do everything.
“Because if he was on the other side and he did the same, why are you gonna be mad with him or something like that? He did his job.
“But, I hope he’s okay. He’s a warrior like me,” Rodrigues said of Hermansson.
“I’m not gonna stop till the ref [says] stop. I just did my job, and I’m gonna keep doing that.
“That’s what I do. That’s what he does, and it is what it is. That was my night.”