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Falls to 2-4 in last six fights after setback at UFC 230
Brunson lost to Israel Adesanya via TKO (punches) at 4:51 of Round 1 at UFC 230 on Saturday in New York City.
ANALYSIS
While Brunson has countless physical gifts, his fight IQ is dreadful and it cost him once again on Saturday. He repeatedly went for lazy, single-leg takedown attempts (he failed on all seven tries) and Adesanya smashed him in the face with a knee before Brunson could try for number eight. Brunson was staggered the rest of the way and referee Herb Dean was eventually forced to intervene after Brunson ate another half dozen vicious shots. Brunson is going to have his fair share of impressive performances moving forward, but he doesn't learn from his past mistakes and he's too old (35 in January) to expect things to change at this point. He is now 2-4 in his last six fights dating back to November 2016.
While Brunson has countless physical gifts, his fight IQ is dreadful and it cost him once again on Saturday. He repeatedly went for lazy, single-leg takedown attempts (he failed on all seven tries) and Adesanya smashed him in the face with a knee before Brunson could try for number eight. Brunson was staggered the rest of the way and referee Herb Dean was eventually forced to intervene after Brunson ate another half dozen vicious shots. Brunson is going to have his fair share of impressive performances moving forward, but he doesn't learn from his past mistakes and he's too old (35 in January) to expect things to change at this point. He is now 2-4 in his last six fights dating back to November 2016.
To fight Israel Adesanya
Brunson will face off against Israel Adesanya on Nov. 3 at Madison Square Garden during UFC 230, Shaun Al-Shatti of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Brunson (18-6), after a two-fight win streak, most recently lost to Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza by first-round knockout. Brunson is 9-4 as a middleweight in UFC, with seven of those victories coming by first-round stoppage. Adesanya (14-0) has racked up victories during his first three UFC bouts, defeating Rob Wilkinson, Marvin Vettori and Brad Tavares.
Brunson (18-6), after a two-fight win streak, most recently lost to Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza by first-round knockout. Brunson is 9-4 as a middleweight in UFC, with seven of those victories coming by first-round stoppage. Adesanya (14-0) has racked up victories during his first three UFC bouts, defeating Rob Wilkinson, Marvin Vettori and Brad Tavares.
Knocked out again by Jacare Souza Saturday in Charlotte
Brunson lost to Jacare Souza via TKO (strikes) at 3:50 of Round 1 at UFC on FOX 27 on Saturday in Charlotte.
ANALYSIS
Brunson for some reason just can't seem to handle Jacare. Knowing he was in for a five-round fight on Saturday, Brunson fought at a much slower pace earlier in the fight than we have seem from him of late. He looked like the more fluid and comfortable striker despite the fact Jacare was consistently landing with counter shots. The two men were in the center of the octagon when Souza landed a head kick that staggered Brunson and eventually led to the finish. It was a highly disappointing performance from Brunson in front of family and friends. Even more concerning is the fact that this setback essentially eliminates him from the title picture in the UFC's middleweight division. Brunson, who turned 34 years old earlier this month, is no spring chicken.
Brunson for some reason just can't seem to handle Jacare. Knowing he was in for a five-round fight on Saturday, Brunson fought at a much slower pace earlier in the fight than we have seem from him of late. He looked like the more fluid and comfortable striker despite the fact Jacare was consistently landing with counter shots. The two men were in the center of the octagon when Souza landed a head kick that staggered Brunson and eventually led to the finish. It was a highly disappointing performance from Brunson in front of family and friends. Even more concerning is the fact that this setback essentially eliminates him from the title picture in the UFC's middleweight division. Brunson, who turned 34 years old earlier this month, is no spring chicken.
Will face Ronaldo Souza in Charlotte
Brunson is set to fight Ronaldo Souza on January 27 in Charlotte, Brett Okamoto of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Brunson will get the opportunity to fight in his home state of North Carolina for the first time since 2010 when the two square off in early 2018. During his latest outing, Brunson bested Lyoto Machida via KO (punches) in late October in Brazil. On the other side, Souza has been out since April after undergoing pectoral surgery, which came on the heels of his loss to Robert Whittaker in Kansas City. These two have meet before, during a Strikeforce fight in 2012, during which Souza won the bout via knockout.
Brunson will get the opportunity to fight in his home state of North Carolina for the first time since 2010 when the two square off in early 2018. During his latest outing, Brunson bested Lyoto Machida via KO (punches) in late October in Brazil. On the other side, Souza has been out since April after undergoing pectoral surgery, which came on the heels of his loss to Robert Whittaker in Kansas City. These two have meet before, during a Strikeforce fight in 2012, during which Souza won the bout via knockout.
Destroys overmatched Lyoto Machida Saturday
Brunson defeated Lyoto Machida via KO (punches) at 2:30 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
ANALYSIS
Brunson has insane power in his hands and this isn't the first time that we have seen it. He rarely gets mentioned as a top fighter in the UFC's 185-pound division, but Brunson likely would have scored a win over current UFC Interim Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker less than a year ago if he had been a bit more patient. He did that on Saturday against an overmatched Machida. Brunson landed a left hook from seemingly nowhere that hobbled Machida and led to the finish. Going back to June 2012, Brunson has four losses - Jacare Souza, Yoel Romero, the fight against Whittaker, and a fight against Anderson Silva in February in which he won and was robbed by the judges. The guy is legit. The 33-year-old Brunson is going to get a fight that impacts the UFC Middleweight Championship picture his next time out. He also collected a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his efforts.
Brunson has insane power in his hands and this isn't the first time that we have seen it. He rarely gets mentioned as a top fighter in the UFC's 185-pound division, but Brunson likely would have scored a win over current UFC Interim Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker less than a year ago if he had been a bit more patient. He did that on Saturday against an overmatched Machida. Brunson landed a left hook from seemingly nowhere that hobbled Machida and led to the finish. Going back to June 2012, Brunson has four losses - Jacare Souza, Yoel Romero, the fight against Whittaker, and a fight against Anderson Silva in February in which he won and was robbed by the judges. The guy is legit. The 33-year-old Brunson is going to get a fight that impacts the UFC Middleweight Championship picture his next time out. He also collected a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his efforts.