Derek Brunson

Derek Brunson
Born (1984-01-04) January 4, 1984
Wilmington, North Carolina, United States
Nationality American
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[1]
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st)
Division Middleweight
Reach 77.0 in (196 cm)[2]
Fighting out of Wilmington, North Carolina, United States
Team Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Jackson's MMA
Rank Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[3] under David Branch[4]
Wrestling NCAA Division II Wrestling[5][6]
Years active 2010–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 20
Wins 16
By knockout 8
By submission 4
By decision 4
Losses 4
By knockout 3
By decision 1
University North Carolina at Pembroke
Website http://derekbrunson.com/
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Derek T Brunson (born January 4, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist who currently fights in the middleweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background

Brunson wrestled at John T. Hoggard High School under coach Dan Willis.[7] Brunson was a 3-time Division II All-American wrestler from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.[8] When he finished college he immediately turned his attention to mixed martial arts. He trains at Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Jackson's MMA along with Jon Jones.[5]

MMA career

Brunson made his professional MMA debut in May 2010 against John Bryant where he won by a rear naked choke in under a minute. He then won his next 5 fights with none of them having made it past 2:30 of the first round.[9]

Strikeforce

Brunson made his Strikeforce debut on June 24, 2011 at Strikeforce Challengers: Fodor vs. Terry against undefeated Jeremy Hamilton.[10] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

In a quick turnaround, Brunson fought his second fight for Strikeforce just over one month after his debut. He faced Lumumba Sayers on the undercard of Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson on July 30, 2011.[11] He won the fight via submission in the first round.

Brunson's next fight was on November 18, 2011 at Strikeforce Challengers: Britt vs. Sayers against Nate James. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Brunson was scheduled to face Ronaldo Souza on March 3, 2012 at Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey. However, the Ohio State Athletic Commission denied his fight license based on an eye exam he had submitted. Derek fought wearing contacts in all of his bouts but Ohio has a rule against this. Derek immediately scheduled a Lasik procedure and is expected to miss about 6 weeks.[12] Brunson later faced Souza on August 18, 2012 at Strikeforce: Rousey vs Kaufman and was defeated by KO at :41 of the 1st round.

The Ultimate Fighter

Brunson was accepted to compete in The Ultimate Fighter 17, but on the first day of filming he was pulled from the competition due to Showtime having yet to release him from his contract.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Brunson made his UFC debut replacing an injured Karlos Vemola against Chris Leben on December 29, 2012 at UFC 155.[13] Despite being a late replacement and heavy underdog, Brunson utilized his superior wrestling to defeat Leben via unanimous decision.

Brunson was expected to face Ronny Markes on June 8, 2013 at UFC on Fuel TV 10.[14] However, the bout was scrapped on the day of the weigh in as Markes was involved in a traffic accident. While Markes was not seriously injured, the incident prevented him from competing.[15]

Brunson was expected to face Yoel Romero on August 31, 2013 at UFC 164[16] but was eventually forced off the card with an injury.[17]

Brunson was expected to face Antonio Braga Neto on November 6, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 31.[18] However, Neto pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Brian Houston.[19] Brunson won the fight in impressive fashion early, connecting with a head kick on Houston and then securing a rear-naked choke submission.

The bout with Romero was rescheduled for January 15, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 35.[20] After winning the first two rounds, Brunson was dropped by a left hook and lost the fight via TKO due to elbows on the ground in the third round. Both fighters earned a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus award.[21]

On February 15, 2014 it was announced that Brunson has signed a four-fight contract with UFC.[22]

Brunson was expected to face Lorenz Larkin on August 2, 2014 at UFC 176.[23] After UFC 176 was cancelled, Larkin/Brunson was rescheduled and eventually took place on August 30, 2014 at UFC 177.[24] Brunson won the fight via unanimous decision.

Brunson was expected to face Ed Herman on December 13, 2014 at UFC on Fox 13.[25] However, the bout was scrapped just hours before the fight, as Brunson was stricken with a stomach ailment.[26] Subsequently, the bout with Herman was rescheduled and took place on January 31, 2015 at UFC 183.[27] Brunson won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Brunson was expected to face Krzysztof Jotko on June 20, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 69.[28] However, Brunson pulled out of the fight on June 9 citing a rib injury and was briefly replaced by Uriah Hall.[29] Three days after the booking, Hall was removed due to an alleged visa issue. In turn, Jotko was removed from the card entirely.[30]

Brunson faced Sam Alvey on August 8, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 73.[31] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[32]

Brunson next faced Roan Carneiro on February 21, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 83.[33] He won the fight via TKO, earning his third consecutive TKO stoppage in the first round.[34]

Brunson was scheduled to face Gegard Mousasi on July 9, 2016 at UFC 200. However, he later was forced to pull out of the bout.[35]

Brunson faced Uriah Hall on September 17, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 94.[36] Brunson won the fight via TKO in the first round after dropping Hall with a left hook and finished him with a flurry of ground and pound.[37]

Brunson faced Robert Whittaker on November 27, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 101.[38] He lost the back and forth fight via first round TKO. Both participants were awarded a Fight of the Night bonus.[39][40]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Collegiate sports

Other accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 16–4 Robert Whittaker TKO (head kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Brunson November 27, 2016 1 4:07 Melbourne, Australia Fight of the Night.
Win 16–3 Uriah Hall TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Johnson September 17, 2016 1 1:41 Hidalgo, Texas, United States
Win 15–3 Roan Carneiro KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Cowboy February 21, 2016 1 2:38 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 14–3 Sam Alvey TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Teixeira vs. Saint Preux August 8, 2015 1 2:19 Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win 13–3 Ed Herman TKO (punches) UFC 183 January 31, 2015 1 0:36 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 12–3 Lorenz Larkin Decision (unanimous) UFC 177 August 30, 2014 3 5:00 Sacramento, California, United States
Loss 11–3 Yoel Romero TKO (punches and elbows) UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou January 15, 2014 3 3:23 Duluth, Georgia, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 11–2 Brian Houston Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC: Fight for the Troops 3 November 6, 2013 1 0:48 Fort Campbell, Kentucky, United States
Win 10–2 Chris Leben Decision (unanimous) UFC 155 December 29, 2012 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 9–2 Ronaldo Souza KO (punches) Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman August 18, 2012 1 0:41 San Diego, California, United States
Loss 9–1 Kendall Grove Decision (split) ShoFight 20 June 16, 2012 3 5:00 Springfield, Missouri, United States For the ShoFight Middleweight Championship.
Win 9–0 Nate James Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Britt vs. Sayers November 18, 2011 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 8–0 Lumumba Sayers Submission (rear-naked choke) Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson July 30, 2011 1 4:33 Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States
Win 7–0 Jeremy Hamilton Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Fodor vs. Terry June 24, 2011 3 5:00 Kent, Washington, United States
Win 6–0 Danny Babcock KO (punch) World Extreme Fighting 45 January 22, 2011 1 1:07 Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Win 5–0 Rhomez Brower Submission (punches) XFP: The Holiday Fight Fest December 4, 2010 1 2:27 Wilmington, North Carolina, United States
Win 4–0 Todd Chattelle TKO (punches) ICE: Fright Night 2010 October 29, 2010 1 0:14 Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Win 3–0 Edward Jackson KO (punches) Carolina's Summer Fight Series 3 July 31, 2010 1 0:41 Jacksonville, North Carolina, United States
Win 2–0 Chris McNally KO (punches) Carolina's Summer Fight Series 2 June 26, 2010 1 1:42 Wilmington, North Carolina, United States
Win 1–0 John Bryant Submission (rear-naked choke) Carolina's Summer Fight Series 1 May 22, 2010 1 0:52 Wilmington, North Carolina, United States

See also

References

  1. "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Teixeira vs. Saint Preux". UFC.com. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
  2. "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Dos Santos vs. Miocic". UFC.com. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  3. Andrew Richardson (November 22, 2016). "Fighter on Fighter: Breaking down UFC Fight Night 101's Derek Brunson". MMAmania.com.
  4. @DerekBrunson (September 26, 2016). ""5 years of jiu jitsu finally received my purple belt from @davidbranch32 a Renzo Gracie black belt. (...)"". Twitter. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  5. 1 2 Damon Martin (January 22, 2011). "Names in the Game: Derek Brunson". MMAWeekly.com.
  6. "Derek Brunson - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  7. "Derek B. UFC News". Retrieved 2016-09-18.
  8. "Strikeforce just signed a 6-0 force of nature to their middleweight division, and here's his TUF audition reel". MiddleEasy.com. March 1, 2011.
  9. "Derek Brunson Official Mixed Martial Arts Fighter Profile". mixedmartialarts.com. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  10. http://mmadiehards.com/news/?fid=Derek%20Brunson
  11. "Derek Brunson vs. Lumumba Sayers Added to Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson Undercard". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
  12. "Following license denial, Strikeforce's Derek Brunson plans Lasik surgery". mmajunkie.com. 2012-02-21.
  13. "Karlos Vemola out at UFC 155, Strikeforce vet Derek Brunson meets Chris Leben". mmajunkie.com. December 18, 2012.
  14. Staff (March 12, 2013). "Derek Brunson vs. Ronny Markes targeted for UFC on FUEL TV 10". mmajunkie.com.
  15. Staff (2013-06-07). "Derek Brunson vs. Ronny Markes pulled from UFC on FUEL TV 10 lineup". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-06-07.
  16. Staff (2013-06-17). "UFC 164 Gains Derek Brunson vs. Yoel Romero". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 2013-06-17.
  17. Staff (2013-08-04). "Brian Houston replaces Derek Brunson, meets Yoel Romero at UFC 164". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-08-04.
  18. Staff (2013-09-16). "Derek Brunson vs. Antonio Braga Neto joins UFC Fight Night 31 lineup". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-09-16.
  19. Staff. "Brian Houston in for Antonio Braga Neto vs. Derek Brunson at UFC Fight Night 31". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-09-24.
  20. Staff (2013-11-26). "UFC Fight Night 35 adds Yoel Romero vs. Derek Brunson". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  21. "UFC Fight Night 35 Bonuses: Rockhold, Miller, Romero, Brunson Earn $50K Awards", by Mike Whitman, Sherdog.com
  22. Guillen, Adam jr. (2014-02-15). "Derek Brunson signs new four-fight contract with UFC". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2014-03-18.
  23. Ken Pishna (2014-06-07). "Derek Brunson vs. Lorenz Larkin Added to UFC 176". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
  24. Staff (2014-07-09). "Danny Castillo-Tony Ferguson, Derek Brunson-Lorenz Larkin moved to UFC 177". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-07-09.
  25. Staff (2014-09-18). "Derek Brunson vs. Ed Herman slated for UFC on FOX 13 in Phoenix". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
  26. Staff (2014-12-13). "Derek Brunson stomach issue forces late scratch of UFC on FOX 13 fight with Ed Herman". mmajunkie.com.
  27. Tristen Critchfield (2014-12-16). "Derek Brunson-Ed Herman middleweight bout rebooked for UFC 183 on Jan. 31". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2014-12-16.
  28. Andrew Ravens (2015-04-16). "Derek Brunson vs. Krzysztof Jotko Added To UFC Fight Night 69". efightnews.com. Retrieved 2015-04-17.
  29. Staff (2015-06-09). "Uriah Hall replaces Derek Brunson at UFC Fight Night 69 in Berlin". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-06-09.
  30. Staff (2015-06-12). "Three days after UFC Fight Night 69 booking, Uriah Hall pulled from card". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-06-12.
  31. Dave Doyle (2015-06-16). "Derek Brunson vs. Sam Alvey set for UFC Fight Night 73 in Nashville". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-06-16.
  32. Steven Marrocco (2015-08-08). "UFC Fight Night 73 results: Derek Brunson scores first-round TKO of Sam Alvey". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-08-08.
  33. Nick Baldwin (2015-12-04). "UFC announces return to Pittsburgh, first fight confirmed". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2015-12-04.
  34. Ben Fowlkes (2016-02-21). "UFC Fight Night 83 results: Derek Brunson blasts Roan Carneiro for quick TKO". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  35. "Derek Brunson out of UFC 200 bout with Gegard Mousasi". MMAjunkie. 2016-06-19. Retrieved 2016-06-19.
  36. Staff (2016-07-18). "UFC Fight Night 94 adds four bouts, including Derek Brunson vs. Uriah Hall co-headliner". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-07-18.
  37. Damon Martin (2016-09-17). "Derek Brunson finishes Uriah Hall with devastating first-round TKO". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
  38. Marc Raimondi (2016-09-21). "Derek Brunson gets quick turnaround, faces Robert Whittaker at UFC Fight Night 101". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-09-21.
  39. Steven Marrocco (2016-11-27). "UFC Fight Night 101 results: Robert Whittaker stops Derek Brunson in wild back-and-forth brawl". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
  40. Tristen Critchfield (2016-11-27). "UFC Fight Night 101 bonuses: Robert Whittaker pockets $100K for first-round TKO". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
  41. Staff (2014-10-17). "Brunson Named UNC Pembroke Young Alumnus Of The Year". UNCPBraves.com. Retrieved 2014-11-13.

External links

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