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Jack Hermansson sees Marvin Vettori bout only as a means to an end

LAS VEGAS — There are a lot of fighters who love the act of fighting itself. They fought on the streets as a kid, and when their skills have long since declined, they have to be dragged away from the sport.

Then there are guys like Jack Hermansson, a goal-oriented fighter whose passion for the sport runs deep — sort of.

Hermansson, who faces late replacement Marvin Vettori on Saturday (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+/ESPN2) at Apex in the main event of UFC Vegas 16, professes great love for one particular aspect of the fight game.

“This is so hard,” Hermansson said. “I love to win. I love to fight and win but I don’t like to fight and lose. Losing in a fight, it’s a terrible, terrible, terrible feeling. You put your life into something, and just commit everything you have to be ready on that one night, and if it doesn’t work out, it’s just the worst. Somebody’s beating you up and it feels like you’re being humiliated in front of the whole world. Honestly, it’s not a great feeling.

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“The other side of it is, though, to win a fight against one of the best in the world, and to use all of your preparation and all of your skills and all of that hard work to become victorious, and to showcase that in front of the world, it’s an amazing feeling. There is nothing like it.”

Hermansson is fighting Vettori because his original opponent, Kevin Holland, had to withdraw because of COVID-19. Hermansson is fourth in the division while Vettori is 13th.

The simple fact of fighting Vettori hasn’t gotten Hermansson fired up and eager to go. It’s what a win could accomplish.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JULY 19: (R-L) Jack Hermansson of Sweden kicks Kelvin Gastelum in their middleweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on July 19, 2020 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
(R-L) Jack Hermansson kicks Kelvin Gastelum in their middleweight bout during UFC Fight Night inside Flash Forum on July 19, 2020 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

He believes heavily in sports psychology and breaks things down into small steps. His goal is to become UFC champion, and said if he felt he couldn’t achieve that, he’d retire immediately.

But the process of getting there is broken down into smaller parts. First, it was the simple act of just training. He adjusted after each level was hit.

“It works best for me to look at things that way,” he said. “I wanted to compete. Then when I was competing, the goal became to compete as a pro. Then, it was to make the UFC. Then it was top 15, then top 10 and then top 5. There is only one goal left: Winning the belt and being the best.

“Think about that: Being the best in the world at what you do. That’s the motivation to push and commit so much of your life to this. A win over Vettori isn’t motivating to me in and of itself. What’s motivating for me is that it takes me one step closer to my overall goal. If I didn’t think I could be the champion, I would quit now. Why push yourself through what it takes to compete at this level if you don’t feel you can eventually become the best? I still believe I can accomplish that and it really drives me.”

Hermansson knows his fame would increase dramatically should he win the title, particularly at home in Norway. He’s recognized daily now as he goes about his life, and is OK with the loss of privacy that the success in his job has brought about.

People who approach a celebrity for a photo, an autograph or a handshake usually do so because they’re impressed with the person’s accomplishments. Hermansson said he likes to cooperate to make those he meets happy.

“I don’t see it as an intrusion or a bother at all; I look at it as a positive,” he said. “If I can bring joy to someone else’s life, especially just by taking a picture or doing something like that, I love to be able do that. Sometimes, the timing is inconvenient, but I’m happy to be able to bring joy and excitement to someone’s life.

“When I see someone who is so excited to meet me, it makes me happy and proud to be able to impact their lives like that.”

So the best life for the man nicknamed “The Joker” is to keep on winning, close in on a title shot and keep the smiles on people’s faces.

It’s been a charmed life so far; he only hopes it continues so he makes those few final steps to the top.

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