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Middleweight Division

Not Fighting

"The 1"

Derek Brunson

Middleweight Division

23-9-0 (W-L-D)

12

Wins by Knockout

4

Wins by Submission

7

First Round Finishes

Derek Brunson

athlete record

Info

Learn more about Derek Brunson's UFC history, fighter facts, and Q&A below.

Status
Not Fighting
Place of Birth
Wilmington, United States
Trains at
Sanford MMA
Age
39
Height
73.00
Weight
185.50
Octagon Debut
Aug. 19, 2012
Reach
77.00
Leg reach
43.00
  • Pro since 2010

     
  • 12 wins by KO, four by submission (4 RNC)

     
  • Fourteen first round finishes, seven in 1:16 or less

     
  • Has won 14 of his last 21 and five of his last seven

UFC 285 (3/4/23) Brunson lost to Dricus du Plessis via TKO (corner stoppage) at 4:59 of the second round 

UFC 271 (2/12/22) Brunson was knocked out by Jared Cannonier at 4:29 of the second round

UFC Fight Night (9/4/21) Brunson submitted Darren Till via rear naked choke at 2:13 of the third round

UFC on ESPN (3/20/21) Brunson won a five round unanimous decision over Kevin Holland

UFC Fight Night (8/1/20) Brunson stopped Edmen Shahbazyan via strikes at :26 of the third round

UFC 241 (8/17/19) Brunson won a three round unanimous decision over Ian Heinisch

UFC Fight Night (5/4/19) Brunson won a three round unanimous decision over Elias Theodorou

UFC 230 (11/3/18) Brunson was stopped by Israel Adesanya via strikes at 4:51 of the first round

UFC on FOX (1/27/18) Brunson was knocked out by Ronaldo Souza at 3:50 of the first round

UFC Fight Night (10/28/17) Brunson knocked out Lyoto Machida at 2:30 of the first round

UFC Fight Night (6/11/17) Brunson knocked out Dan Kelly at 1:16 of the first round

UFC 208 (2/11/17) Brunson lost a three round unanimous decision to Anderson Silva

UFC Fight Night (11/27/16) Brunson was stopped by Robert Whittaker via strikes at 4:07 of the first round

UFC Fight Night (9/17/16) Brunson stopped Uriah Hall via strikes at 1:41 of the first round

UFC Fight Night (2/21/16) Brunson stopped Roan Carneiro via strikes at 2:38 of the first round

UFC Fight Night (8/8/15) Brunson stopped Sam Alvey via strikes at 2:19 of the first round

UFC 183 (1/31/15) Brunson stopped Ed Herman via strikes at :36 of the first round

UFC 177 (8/30/14) Brunson won a three round unanimous decision over Lorenz Larkin

UFC Fight Night (1/15/14) Brunson was stopped by Yoel Romero via strikes at 3:23 of the third round

UFC Fight for the Troops (11/6/13) Brunson submitted Brian Houston via rear naked choke at :48 of the first round

UFC 155 (12/29/12) Brunson won a three round unanimous decision over Chris Leben

 

STRIKEFORCE HISTORY:

Rousey vs. Kaufman (8/18/12) Brunson was knocked out by Ronaldo Souza at :41 of the first round

Challengers 20 (11/18/11) Brunson won a three round unanimous decision over Nate James

Fedor vs. Henderson (7/30/11) Brunson submitted Lumumba Sayers via rear naked choke at 4:33 of the first round

Challengers 16 (6/24/11) Brunson won a three round unanimous decision over Jeremy Hamilton

When and why did you start training for fighting? Nov 2009. I love to compete, and losing isn't my thing.



What ranks and titles have you held? Evolution MMA / PCSP, BJJ purple belt



Do you have any heroes? Friends and family



What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? Fighting in the UFC has been my goal since Day One.



Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? Yes - BA in Criminal justice



What was your job before you started fighting? In-home therapist / case worker



Ranks in any martial arts styles: Three-time DII wrestling All-American



Favorite grappling technique: slams



Favorite Striking technique: knockouts