PLANTATION, Fla. – Jack Hermansson didn’t hesitate to accept a short-notice opportunity to fight Ronaldo Souza in Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 8 headliner.

Despite beating David Branch just 28 days prior to this weekend’s event, Hermansson (19-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC) was ready to go when the UFC came calling for him to fight Souza (26-6 MMA, 9-3 UFC) in a key middleweight bout. The Swedish fighter wants to be a top contender, and beating someone with the prestige of “Jacare” takes him a long way toward that goal.

“David Branch was respected and ‘Jacare’ is probably even more respected,” Hermansson told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at UFC on ESPN+ 8 media day. “He’s known as one of the best guys in the division and one of the best grapplers in the sport. I think a win over him should be a statement.”

UFC on ESPN+ 8 takes place at BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla. Hermansson vs. Souza headlines the main card, which streams on ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN and ESPN2.

Souza was originally supposed to rematch Yoel Romero in the upcoming main event, but Romero was forced to withdraw due to illness. The Brazilian admits he was reluctant to take on a lesson-ranked foe in Hermansson, but ultimately agreed because he was promised a title shot against the winner of Robert Whittaker vs. Israel Adesanya.

Hermansson said the stakes aren’t as clear for him, but given Souza’s stature in the sport, he knows what an exciting and impressive win would do for his career.

“I don’t got any promises at all,” Hermansson said. “‘Jacare’ is a really legit opponent. He’s super, super dangerous. There is only the best guys in the division that have been able to beat him, and if I beat him I think I’m one of the best guys in the division. I’m going to do it and I’m going to show everybody that I belong here, that I belong at the top and a title shot will come eventually.”

Although Hermansson is essentially in a situation where he had to carry over his previous training camp into this one, he said he’s still confident going into fight night. Souza has competed against the best during his storied career, but Hermansson said he offers a combination of skills the former Strikeforce champ hasn’t encountered.

“I think everybody tries to destroy me but that doesn’t always mean that they will be successful,” Hermansson said. “I think I match up good. He’s a really powerful opponent. He hits hard, he’s strong and I have a high pace, I’m fast, I’m precise and I have a big variety in my techniques. I think it’s going to be hard for him in there. I think I know what he will bring to the table, but you never know what I will bring to the table.”

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