Derek Brunson
USA
Signs with PFL
Brunson signed with an exclusive contract with the Professional Fighters League on ThursdayNolan King of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
After mutually parting ways with the UFC in September, Brunson quickly caught on with a new promotion. The 39-year-old middleweight fighter is scheduled to face two-time welterweight champion Ray Cooper in his PFL debut Nov. 24.
After mutually parting ways with the UFC in September, Brunson quickly caught on with a new promotion. The 39-year-old middleweight fighter is scheduled to face two-time welterweight champion Ray Cooper in his PFL debut Nov. 24.
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Released from UFC roster
Brunson was released from the UFC roster Thursday, Dameon Martin of mmafighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
A reason for Brunson's release has yet to be announced, but it certainly means his bout with Roman Dolidze at UFC 295 on Nov. 11 is off. The 39-year-old will end his UFC career with a 23-9-0 record but has suffered back-to-back losses to Jared Cannonier and Dricus Du Plessis prior to his release.
A reason for Brunson's release has yet to be announced, but it certainly means his bout with Roman Dolidze at UFC 295 on Nov. 11 is off. The 39-year-old will end his UFC career with a 23-9-0 record but has suffered back-to-back losses to Jared Cannonier and Dricus Du Plessis prior to his release.
MSG fight scheduled
Brunson will fight Roman Dolidze at UFC 295 in New York City on Nov. 11, according to Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
For what could be his next and last fight as a UFC athlete, Brunson will fight No. 9 middleweight Dolidze at Madison Square Garden. The 39-year-old American will try to redeem himself a second time following consecutive pay-per-view losses to Jared Cannonier and Dricus Du Plessis.
For what could be his next and last fight as a UFC athlete, Brunson will fight No. 9 middleweight Dolidze at Madison Square Garden. The 39-year-old American will try to redeem himself a second time following consecutive pay-per-view losses to Jared Cannonier and Dricus Du Plessis.
Fades following quick start
Brunson lost to Dricus Du Plessis via TKO (corner stoppage) at 4:59 of Round 2 at UFC 285 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was a tale of two fights for Brunson. Entering as a hefty and surprising +200 underdog, Derek used his grappling to win Round 1. It was the one area in which it was assumed he had a significant advantage over Du Plessis, and that proved to be the case. Yet, as Round 2 began, Brunson appeared to be exhausted, and his stand-up defense suffered as a result. He ate countless big shots and was seemingly out on his feet the final few minutes. With Du Plessis in mount to close out the frame, Brunson's corner threw in the towel. It was a gusty and intelligent decision and one that more corners should employ when their fighter is getting obliterated. Derek has openly talked about retirement recently, and given what we saw at the end here, it would probably be the smart call. Brunson turned 39 years of age in early-January.
It was a tale of two fights for Brunson. Entering as a hefty and surprising +200 underdog, Derek used his grappling to win Round 1. It was the one area in which it was assumed he had a significant advantage over Du Plessis, and that proved to be the case. Yet, as Round 2 began, Brunson appeared to be exhausted, and his stand-up defense suffered as a result. He ate countless big shots and was seemingly out on his feet the final few minutes. With Du Plessis in mount to close out the frame, Brunson's corner threw in the towel. It was a gusty and intelligent decision and one that more corners should employ when their fighter is getting obliterated. Derek has openly talked about retirement recently, and given what we saw at the end here, it would probably be the smart call. Brunson turned 39 years of age in early-January.
Booked for UFC 285
Brunson (undisclosed) will take on Dricus Du Plessis in a middleweight bout at UFC 285 on March 4, Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Brunson was slated to face Jack Hermansson at UFC Fight Night on Dec. 3 but was removed from the card for an unspecified reason. However, he'll be able to return to the Octagon just over three months later. Brunson last fought in February, when he lost to Jared Cannonier via TKO (strikes) at UFC 271. Du Plessis is undefeated under the UFC banner, and he most recently defeated Darren Till via submission (rear-naked choke) at UFC 282 on Dec. 10. The two fighters are even in height, but Brunson has an edge in reach.
Brunson was slated to face Jack Hermansson at UFC Fight Night on Dec. 3 but was removed from the card for an unspecified reason. However, he'll be able to return to the Octagon just over three months later. Brunson last fought in February, when he lost to Jared Cannonier via TKO (strikes) at UFC 271. Du Plessis is undefeated under the UFC banner, and he most recently defeated Darren Till via submission (rear-naked choke) at UFC 282 on Dec. 10. The two fighters are even in height, but Brunson has an edge in reach.
Withdraws with injury
Brunson was forced to withdraw from his upcoming middleweight bout against Jack Hermansson at UFC Fight Night on Dec. 3 due to an undisclosed injury, Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The specifics of the injury remain unclear, so Brunson won't have a timeline for his return until more information is available. Roman Dolidze will step in on short notice to face Hermansson next weekend.
The specifics of the injury remain unclear, so Brunson won't have a timeline for his return until more information is available. Roman Dolidze will step in on short notice to face Hermansson next weekend.