“We need to put pressure on politicians,” UFC star Jack Hermansson voices out to legalize MMA in home country Norway

UFC's Jack Hermansson champions the cause for MMA legalization in Norway, seeking support to overturn the ban and bring the sport to his home country before retirement.

“We need to put pressure on politicians,” UFC star Jack Hermansson voices out to legalize MMA in home country Norway

Jack Hermansson wants to legalize MMA in Norway (Image via: Instagram)

UFC middleweight Jack Hermansson derailed the hype of Joe Pyfer at UFC Vegas 86. Hermansson lost the first two rounds but came back and won the last three rounds to win via unanimous decision. Hermansson was born in Norway but resides in Sweden.

MMA is illegal in Norway, but Hermansson wants to fight in his home country before retirement. He urged the UFC and the media to do something about it at the post-fight press conference of UFC Vegas 86. This is what he said.

I'm going to need some help from all you guys in the media and the UFC and all the fans back home in Norway. We need to put some pressure on the politicians and show everybody that we really want this. You know, we love this sport, and, yeah, I think we should decide for ourselves if we want to enjoy, to watch, and to train, and to compete in MMA. So, let's legalize MMA in Norway.
Jack Hermansson via UFC Vegas 86 post-fight presser
YouTube video

Boxing was also illegal in Norway. However, the government lifted a 33-year ban on the sport in 2014. Hermansson remained confident that MMA could become legal in Norway with support from the UFC and media.

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MMA was also illegal in many U.S. states. However, UFC CEO Dana White, former owners Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, and UFC VP for Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner worked tirelessly to lift the ban. Now, no state in the USA has a ban on MMA. The state of New York in 2016 was the latest to lift the ban.

Jack Hermansson wants Nassourdine Imavov after UFC Vegas 86

Jack Hermansson came back to winning ways at UFC Vegas 86 with the victory over Joe Pyfer. Hermansson did not compete in 2023 but fought three times in 2022. However, he was 1-2 in 2022, with a win over Chris Curtis between losses to Sean Strickland and Roman Dolidze.

Jack Hermansson wants Nassourdine Imavov next (Image via: Instagram)

Hermansson stated in the post-fight press conference of UFC Vegas 86 that he wanted to fight Nassourdine Imavov next. Imavov headlined UFC Vegas 85 and defeated Dolidze via split decision. Hermansson stated that he had already faced many of the names in the top 10, and Imavov was the logical choice.

The Swedish-Norwegian fighter also said he was grateful for the UFC Apex headlining opportunity. However, he wished to fight in front of a big arena next. Fans and fighters alike have criticized UFC events in the Apex. Moreover, the recent Apex event got severe online criticism from fight fans.

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