Gregory Rodrigues’s Left Hook Ended Hermansson’s Return
Gregory Rodrigues knocked out Jack Hermansson at 4:21 of the first round at UFC 317 on June 28, 2025. The middleweight contest at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas ended when a clean left hook sent Hermansson backward to the canvas.
Measured pressure established the striking exchanges
Rodrigues advanced behind left and right hands during the early stages. Hermansson worked from the outside and landed occasional counters, but Rodrigues continued producing the busier and more forceful attacks.
The opening exchanges remained measured rather than immediately frantic. Rodrigues kept his opponent reacting while looking for a clearer opportunity to connect.
The left hook delivered the decisive moment
Late in the round, the fighters entered another exchange and Rodrigues landed squarely with his left hook. Hermansson fell backward, and Rodrigues added a follow-up strike before the referee intervened.
The official outcome was a first-round knockout. The bout closed the preliminary card with a finish rather than reaching the scheduled second and third rounds.
A rebound win met a long-awaited return
Rodrigues entered after losing his February main event to Jared Cannonier by fourth-round stoppage. The victory against Hermansson gave him an immediate response to that setback.
Hermansson had not competed since defeating Joe Pyfer in February 2024. His return instead ended against an opponent whose punching power had already produced several UFC finishes. Rodrigues left with his eighth promotional victory, adding another knockout to a record built through both grappling credentials and dangerous standing offense.
Sources
- UFC: June 28 Las Vegas venue and official results
- Cageside Press: measured pressure, left-hook finish, Hermansson layoff and eighth UFC win
- UFC: Cannonier loss, Hermansson finish and Brazilian jiu-jitsu background
