Orolbai’s Right Hand Spoiled Hermansson’s Welterweight Debut
Myktybek Orolbai knocked out Jack Hermansson in the first round at UFC Qatar on November 22, 2025, at ABHA Arena in Doha. The welterweight contest ended at 2:46 when Orolbai’s right hand dropped the veteran near the fence.
Both fighters arrived after changing weight classes
Hermansson was making his first appearance at welterweight after spending most of his career at middleweight. Orolbai was returning to the higher division after competing at lightweight.
The move followed difficulties Orolbai had experienced making the lightweight limit. Hermansson retained a visible size advantage, but that did not prevent the smaller fighter from finding opportunities in the exchanges.
Forward pressure created the decisive opening
Orolbai became increasingly comfortable stepping into punching range and pushed Hermansson backward. The pressure eventually brought the action toward the cage, where the veteran had less room to retreat.
The finishing right landed behind the ear and sent Hermansson to the canvas. The knockout concluded the fight before either man could establish a longer pattern of wrestling or ground control.
The return to welterweight produced an immediate result
Orolbai left Qatar with consecutive victories and a UFC record of four wins against one defeat. His punching power supplied the defining moment of the main-card appearance.
For Hermansson, the weight change brought a difficult opening assignment and a second consecutive knockout loss. The result left the two fighters moving in different directions after meeting at a weight neither had been regularly contesting immediately beforehand.
Sources
- UFC: official main-card results, date and venue
- MMA Fighting: division changes and finishing right hand
