Preview: UFC Fight Night 236 ‘Hermansson vs. Pyfer’

Middleweights

Robert Bryczek (17-5, 0-0 UFC) vs. Ihor Potieria (19-5, 1-3 UFC)

ODDS: Bryczek (-198), Potieria (+164)

This matchup came out of left field, but it should at least provide some thrills. The last few years have seen Bryczek go on the type of run that typically makes the UFC take notice, as the Pole is currently riding a five-fight winning streak, all of which have come via knockout in less than three minutes. Indeed, Bryczek got the call as an injury replacement late in 2023. However, it has taken a little additional time for Bryczek to actually make his Octagon debut. He wound up getting pulled from that date in September, and he has also seen a few replacement opponents step in here until things finally landed on Potieria.

It is a bit shocking to see Potieria make the cut down to 185 pounds on late notice, as “The Duelist” did not stick out as an undersized light heavyweight, but it is at least nice to see the UFC keep Potieria under contract despite some middling success. His December loss to Rodolfo Bellato was a barnburner of a bout, and he has done well to improve during his time on the UFC roster. Potieria’s regional record did little to prepare him for better competition in the UFC, as he mostly tried to get by on aggression and physicality, which worked to a point but only got him into the win column against a retiring Mauricio Rua. In his last few fights, Potieria has shown a willingness to at least vary his level of aggression, even if his defense is still quite lacking. Overall, it is a package with potential, particularly if you view his Dana White’s Contender Series fight essentially as his professional debut. It is unclear how Potieria’s game will match up against Bryczek, who is clearly a knockout threat but does tend to rely on opponents respecting that power sooner rather than later. If an opponent can get Bryczek moving backwards, he has historically looked much less effective. The bet here is that Potieria’s size and pace can give him the initiative, but that is essentially a coinflip, particularly given what could be a tough weight cut for the Ukrainian. Either way, this should wind up as a fight where one fighter blows the other’s game open in short order. The pick is Potieria via first-round knockout.

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Hermansson vs. Pyfer
Ige vs. Fili
Bryczek vs. Potieria
Rodrigues vs. Tavares
Johnson vs. Flowers
Vieira vs. Petrosyan
The Prelims