The UFC hasn’t held an event in a Nordic nation since its inaugural appearance in Denmark in September 2019, where Hermansson lost to Jared Cannonier in the main event, and has only ventured to the region seven times in total, with the other six events taking place in Stockholm, Sweden, which last hosted the promotion on June 1, 2019.
While traveling is absolutely part of the job, we tend to overlook how difficult it must be to perpetually be playing an “away game,” as Hermansson does whenever he competes in the United States. The trek to Las Vegas is particularly taxing for the resident of Norway, and even though he also decamps for his fight destination early, the acclimation process is difficult and results in the final week of training often being suboptimal.
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“When it comes to the jetlag, it’s never easy when it comes to the States, especially in Vegas; it’s a nine-hour time difference,” explained Hermansson, who has gone undefeated in four previous appearances in the Middle East, including a first-round submission win over Gastelum in his lone UFC bout in the region thus far. “Last week I had great training, and if I would have travelled to the States, that week would have sucked.
“It’s a big difference, so I think to be fighting closer to home is definitely an advantage that I envy the American fighters for since most of the cards are there,” he added. “But this is good enough. It’s only a two-hour time difference from home, so I’m super-happy with that.
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