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Fighting Till on Aug. 14
Brunson will fight Darren Till at UFC Fight Night on Aug. 14, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Brunson will look to extend his wining streak to five fights when the middleweight takes on Till. Back on March 21, Brunson defeated Kevin Holland via unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 22. Meanwhile, Till will be returning to the octagon from a fractured collarbone he suffered back in March.
Brunson will look to extend his wining streak to five fights when the middleweight takes on Till. Back on March 21, Brunson defeated Kevin Holland via unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 22. Meanwhile, Till will be returning to the octagon from a fractured collarbone he suffered back in March.
Executes game plan against Holland
Brunson defeated Kevin Holland via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-46, 49-46) at UFC Vegas 22 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Holland slips and falls to his back in Round 1, leading to Brunson dominating the rest of the round with top control and damage. Holland hurt Brunson during the striking exchanges in Round 2, but Brunson could get the fight to the ground twice, where he dominated with top control to end the round. Round 3 starts and Brunson took Holland down again and maintain top control for the remainder of the round. Both trade shots in Round 4, but eventually, Brunson takes Holland down multiple times and earns top control time. In Round 5, Holland takes down Brunson (the first time Brunson's been taken down in the UFC). Brunson worked his way back to his feet and then took down Holland with a double leg against the fence to end the round in the top position. Brunson's superior grappling and experience helped propel him to victory.
Holland slips and falls to his back in Round 1, leading to Brunson dominating the rest of the round with top control and damage. Holland hurt Brunson during the striking exchanges in Round 2, but Brunson could get the fight to the ground twice, where he dominated with top control to end the round. Round 3 starts and Brunson took Holland down again and maintain top control for the remainder of the round. Both trade shots in Round 4, but eventually, Brunson takes Holland down multiple times and earns top control time. In Round 5, Holland takes down Brunson (the first time Brunson's been taken down in the UFC). Brunson worked his way back to his feet and then took down Holland with a double leg against the fence to end the round in the top position. Brunson's superior grappling and experience helped propel him to victory.
Set for headliner against Holland
Brunson will face Kevin Holland in a five-round main event fight on March 20, Brett Okamoto of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Brunson rebounded from a pair of losses in 2018 with a three-fight winning streak, most recently beating Edmen Shahbazyan by TKO in August. Holland is riding an even more impressive streak, winning five fights in a row in 2020, finishing his opponent early in four of those, including three first-round victories.
Brunson rebounded from a pair of losses in 2018 with a three-fight winning streak, most recently beating Edmen Shahbazyan by TKO in August. Holland is riding an even more impressive streak, winning five fights in a row in 2020, finishing his opponent early in four of those, including three first-round victories.
Comes through as massive underdog
Brunson defeated Edmen Shahbazyan via TKO (punches) at 0:26 of Round 3 at UFC on ESPN+ 31 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
The first few minutes were a feeling out process for the two fighters, but Brunson was able to record a takedown roughly two minutes in. Shahbazyan got back up, and the two engaged in a brief firefight before settling back in. It was clear at this time a more patient Brunson was in the cage than what fight fans have seen in the past, and it resulted in a very tight first round. Brunson got another takedown early in Round 2, but against wasn't able to do much with it. After a brief stoppage due to Shahbazyan getting poked in the eye, Shahbazyan landed a big body shot, but Brunson gained momentum back shortly after that. The veteran started throwing with more consistency, frequently backup Shahbazyan up against the cage. With a bit under 90 seconds left, Brunson scored another takedown and held on longer this time, dealing some damaging ground-and pound. He came dangerously close to a finish in the final seconds of the round as Shahbazyan visibly tired, and referee Herb Dean even called in the doctor to check on him between rounds. Shahbazyan was allowed to go out for Round 3, but didn't make it 30 seconds before Brunson got another takedown and essentially pounded him out. It's a massive win for Brunson, who makes it three victories in a row despite entering as high as a +330 underdog. He'll get a highly-ranked opponent his next time out.
The first few minutes were a feeling out process for the two fighters, but Brunson was able to record a takedown roughly two minutes in. Shahbazyan got back up, and the two engaged in a brief firefight before settling back in. It was clear at this time a more patient Brunson was in the cage than what fight fans have seen in the past, and it resulted in a very tight first round. Brunson got another takedown early in Round 2, but against wasn't able to do much with it. After a brief stoppage due to Shahbazyan getting poked in the eye, Shahbazyan landed a big body shot, but Brunson gained momentum back shortly after that. The veteran started throwing with more consistency, frequently backup Shahbazyan up against the cage. With a bit under 90 seconds left, Brunson scored another takedown and held on longer this time, dealing some damaging ground-and pound. He came dangerously close to a finish in the final seconds of the round as Shahbazyan visibly tired, and referee Herb Dean even called in the doctor to check on him between rounds. Shahbazyan was allowed to go out for Round 3, but didn't make it 30 seconds before Brunson got another takedown and essentially pounded him out. It's a massive win for Brunson, who makes it three victories in a row despite entering as high as a +330 underdog. He'll get a highly-ranked opponent his next time out.
Booked against Shahbazyan again
Brunson is scheduled to fight Edmen Shahbazyan in a middleweight match at UFC Fight Night on August 1, Brett Okamoto of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Brunson and Shahbazyan were previously scheduled to meet in March and April, so the UFC will hope that the third time scheduling is the charm. Coming off back-to-back victories over Elias Theodorou and Ian Heinisch (both by unanimous decision), Brunson will once again turn his attention towards defeating an undefeated 22-year-old with 11 wins under his belt. While Brunson will be one of the toughest tests to date for the heralded prospect, it wouldn't be surprising at all to see him enter as a sizable betting underdog.
Brunson and Shahbazyan were previously scheduled to meet in March and April, so the UFC will hope that the third time scheduling is the charm. Coming off back-to-back victories over Elias Theodorou and Ian Heinisch (both by unanimous decision), Brunson will once again turn his attention towards defeating an undefeated 22-year-old with 11 wins under his belt. While Brunson will be one of the toughest tests to date for the heralded prospect, it wouldn't be surprising at all to see him enter as a sizable betting underdog.