Jack Hermansson has issued a statement on social media following his knockout loss at UFC 317.
The veteran middleweight fighter made his return on Saturday after a 16-month break from competition.
His comeback didn`t go as planned, as Gregory Rodrigues delivered a brutal first-round knockout.
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier criticized the referee`s actions, noting that Hermansson`s unconscious body was hit with an unnecessary follow-up hammerfist, leaving him motionless on the canvas for several minutes after the main preliminary bout at UFC 317.
Jack Hermansson reacts to KO loss at UFC 317
Hermansson`s ninth professional MMA defeat sparked a heated discussion among fight fans on social media.
Some people criticized Rodrigues for his aggressive actions immediately following the knockout win.
Meanwhile, others focused on referee Herb Dean`s delayed stoppage and failure to protect Hermansson once he was unconscious.
When Hermansson himself broke his silence, he did not directly address the controversy surrounding the fight.
Instead, Hermansson took responsibility for what he called a fight-ending `mistake` and congratulated his opponent.
“No need to sugar coat it,” he wrote alongside footage of the difficult knockout.
“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 criticism about his `unnecessary` follow-up punch during the post-fight press conference.
“First of all, I don’t care what the people think,” the Brazilian knockout artist stated.
“When you go inside the cage, we sign the contract, we’re allowed to do everything.
“Because if he was on the other side and did the same, why would you be mad at him or something like that? He did his job.
“But, I hope he’s okay. He’s a warrior like me,” Rodrigues said concerning Hermansson.
“I’m not going to stop until the ref says stop. I just did my job, and I’m going to keep doing that.
“That’s what I do. That’s what he does, and it is what it is. That was my night.”
Gareth Pendleton