Derek Brunson

Derek Brunson (born January 4, 1984) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Light heavyweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

He is most notable for his long career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in the Middleweight division.

Brunson was a competitive cheerleader and wrestler at John T. Hoggard High School in Wilmington, North Carolina, under coach Dan Willis.

Brunson had scholarships for both cheerleading and wrestling, but chose to wrestle in college.

He was a three-time NCAA Division II All-American wrestler for the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

In college, Brunson majored in criminal justice and minored in sociology.

Prior to when he finished college, he immediately turned his attention to mixed martial arts.

Brunson was inspired by his high school classmate Shelly Johnson to pursue a career in fighting.

Prior to his mixed martial arts career, Brunson was a therapist.

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 five fights with none of them making it past 2:30 of the first round.

Brunson made his Strikeforce debut on June 24, 2011, at Strikeforce Challengers: Fedor vs. Terry against undefeated Jeremy Hamilton.

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.

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.

He 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.

Brunson fought wearing contacts in all of his bouts, but Ohio has a rule against this.

He immediately scheduled a Lasik procedure and missed about six weeks.

He later faced Souza on August 18, 2012, at Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman and was defeated by KO at :41 of the 1st round.

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.

Brunson made his UFC debut replacing an injured Karlos Vemola against Chris Leben on December 29, 2012, at UFC 155.

Despite being a late replacement and heavy underdog, Brunson utilized his superior wrestling to defeat Leben via unanimous decision.

He was expected to face Ronny Markes on June 8, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 10.

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.

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

He was expected to face Antonio Braga Neto on November 6, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 31.

However, Neto pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Brian Houston.

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.

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.

On February 15, 2014, it was announced that Brunson had signed a four-fight contract with UFC.

Brunson was expected to face Lorenz Larkin on August 2, 2014, at UFC 176.

After UFC 176 was cancelled, Larkin/Brunson was rescheduled and eventually took place on August 30, 2014, at UFC 177.

Brunson won the fight via unanimous decision.