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Derek Brunson

"The 1"
24-9-0★ 3bonusesUnited StatesUnited StatesLast 5
Amateur MMA 2-0Grappling 0-1

Last fight: Win vs Ray Cooper III · Decision · Nov 24, 2023

24-9-0 · 16 finishes · Full stats →
NEXT FIGHT
vs Theo Doukas
BKFCBKFC Fight Night Myrtle Beach: Richardson vs Oxendine·
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CAREER SUMMARY

Derek Brunson holds a professional MMA record of 24-9-0. Brunson has won 24 fights: 11 by KO/TKO, 5 by submission, 8 by decision. Of 9 career losses, 7 came by KO/TKO and 0 by submission. In the UFC, Brunson lands 3.60 significant strikes per minute with 47% accuracy and averages 3.00 takedowns per 15 minutes. Brunson also has 1 recorded Grappling bout. Most recent fight: November 24, 2023. Tracked organizations: BKFC, PFL, UFC, STRIKEFORCE.

Profile

Height
6'1"185 cm
Weight
185 lbs84 kg
Reach
77"196 cm
Stance
Southpaw
DOB
Jan 4, 1984
Age
42
Nationality
United States
Birthplace
Wilmington, North Carolina, United States

Upcoming

  1. BKFCBKFC Fight Night Myrtle Beach: Richardson vs Oxendine
    vs Theo Doukas

Career history

  1. WIN
    vs Ray Cooper III
    PFL 10: 2023 PFL World Championship· Nov 24, 2023· Middleweight· 24-9 vs 25-9-1
    DEC
    R3 · 5:00
  2. LOSS
    vs Dricus Du Plessis
    UFC 285: Jones vs Gane· Mar 4, 2023· Middleweight· 23-9 vs 19-2
    TKO
    R2 · 4:59
  3. LOSS
    vs Jared Cannonier
    UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker 2· Feb 12, 2022· Middleweight· 23-8 vs 15-5
    TKO
    R2 · 4:29
  4. WIN
    vs Darren Till
    UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs Till· Sep 4, 2021· Middleweight· 23-7 vs 18-4-1
    SUB
    R3 · 2:13
  5. WIN
    vs Kevin Holland
    UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs Holland· Mar 20, 2021· Middleweight· 22-7 vs 21-6
    UD
    R5 · 5:00
  6. WIN
    vs Edmen Shahbazyan
    UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs Shahbazyan· Aug 1, 2020· Middleweight· 21-7 vs 11-1
    TKO
    R3 · 0:26
  7. WIN
    vs Ian Heinisch
    UFC 241: Cormier vs Miocic· Aug 17, 2019· Middleweight· 20-7 vs 13-2
    UD
    R3 · 5:00
  8. WIN
    vs Elias Theodorou
    UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs Cowboy· May 4, 2019· Middleweight· 19-7 vs 16-3
    UD
    R3 · 5:00
  9. LOSS
    vs Israel Adesanya
    UFC 230: Cormier vs Lewis· Nov 3, 2018· Middleweight· 18-7 vs 15-0
    TKO
    R1 · 4:51
  10. LOSS
    vs Jacare Souza
    UFC Fight Night: Jacare vs Brunson 2· Jan 27, 2018· Middleweight· 18-6 vs 25-5
    TKO
    R1 · 3:50
  11. WIN
    vs Lyoto Machida
    UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs Machida· Oct 29, 2017· Middleweight· 18-5 vs 22-8
    TKO
    R1 · 2:30
    POTN
  12. WIN
    vs Daniel Kelly
    UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Hunt· Jun 11, 2017· Middleweight· 17-5 vs 13-2
    TKO
    R1 · 1:16
  13. LOSS
    vs Anderson Silva
    UFC 208: Holm vs de Randamie· Feb 11, 2017· Middleweight· 16-5 vs 34-8
    UD
    R3 · 5:00
  14. LOSS
    vs Robert Whittaker
    UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs Brunson· Nov 26, 2016· Middleweight· 16-4 vs 17-4
    TKO
    R1 · 4:07
    FOTN
  15. WIN
    vs Uriah Hall
    UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs Johnson· Sep 17, 2016· Middleweight· 16-3 vs 12-7
    TKO
    R1 · 1:41
  16. WIN
    vs Roan Carneiro
    UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs Cowboy· Feb 21, 2016· Middleweight· 15-3 vs 20-10
    TKO
    R1 · 2:38
  17. WIN
    vs Sam Alvey
    UFC Fight Night: Teixeira vs Saint Preux· Aug 8, 2015· Middleweight· 14-3 vs 26-7
    TKO
    R1 · 2:19
  18. WIN
    vs Ed Herman
    UFC 183: Silva vs Diaz· Jan 31, 2015· Middleweight· 13-3 vs 20-11
    TKO
    R1 · 0:36
  19. WIN
    vs Lorenz Larkin
    UFC 177: Dillashaw vs Soto· Aug 30, 2014· Middleweight· 12-3 vs 14-4
    UD
    R3 · 5:00
  20. LOSS
    vs Yoel Romero
    UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs Philippou· Jan 15, 2014· Middleweight· 11-3 vs 7-1
    TKO
    R3 · 3:23
    FOTN
  21. WIN
    vs Brian Houston
    UFC Fight Night: Kennedy vs Natal· Nov 6, 2013· Middleweight· 11-2 vs 4-1
    SUB
    R1 · 0:48
  22. WIN
    vs Chris Leben
    UFC 155: Dos Santos vs Velasquez II· Dec 30, 2012· Middleweight· 10-2 vs 20-10
    UD
    R3 · 5:00
  23. LOSS
    vs Jacare Souza
    Strikeforce: Rousey vs Kaufman· Aug 17, 2012· Middleweight· 9-2 vs 16-3
    TKO
    R1 · 0:41
  24. LOSS
    vs Kendall Grove
    ShoFight 20· Jun 16, 2012· Middleweight· 9-1 vs 15-10
    SD
  25. WIN
    vs Nate James
    Strikeforce: Challengers 20· Nov 17, 2011· Middleweight· 9-0 vs 13-8-1
    UD
    R3 · 5:00
  26. WIN
    vs Lumumba Sayers
    Strikeforce/M-1 Global: Fedor vs Henderson· Jul 29, 2011· Middleweight· 8-0 vs 4-2
    SUB
    R1 · 4:33
  27. WIN
    vs Jeremy Hamilton
    Strikeforce: Challengers 16· Jun 23, 2011· Middleweight· 7-0 vs 9-1
    UD
    R3 · 5:00
  28. WIN
    vs Danny Babcock
    World Extreme Fighting· Jan 22, 2011· 6-0 vs 6-4
    TKO
  29. WIN
    vs Rhomez Brower
    North Carolina Regional· Dec 3, 2010· 5-0 vs 11-13-1
    SUB
  30. WIN
    vs Todd Chattelle
    ICE Fighter· Oct 29, 2010· 4-0 vs 6-6
    TKO
    R1 · 0:14
  31. WIN
    vs Edward Jackson
    Carolina Fight Promotions· Jul 30, 2010· 3-0 vs 0-1
    TKO
  32. WIN
    vs Chris McNally
    Carolina Fight Promotions· Jun 26, 2010· 2-0 vs 3-3
    TKO
  33. WIN
    vs John Bryant
    Carolina Fight Promotions· May 22, 2010· 1-0 vs 1-4
    SUB

Background

Credentials, amateur pedigree and camp

BaseFolkstyle WrestlingBJJ
  • 2016UNC Pembroke Athletics Hall of Fame inductee
  • 2009Started in MMA
  • 2007All-American · NCAA D2 · 197 lb Catchweight
  • 2005All-American · NCAA D2 · 184 lb Catchweight
  • 2003All-American · NCAA D2 · 184 lb Catchweight
  • 2002Bronze · State HS · 215 lb Catchweight
  • Champion · NCAA D2 Regionals
  • Black belt · BJJ · Renzo Gracie
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke · Wrestling (NCAA Division II) · 2002-2007
  • John T. Hoggard High School · Wrestling · until 2002

Camp

  • Kill Cliff FC · Deerfield Beach, Florida, United States
  • Port City Sports Performance · Wilmington, North Carolina, United States Former
  • Jackson-Wink MMA · Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Former
  • Renzo Gracie Academy · New York, United States Former

Coaches

  • Henri Hooft · Striking coach
  • Greg Jones · Wrestling coach
  • Renzo Gracie · Grappling coach

Fight DNA

Grappling Specialist

UFCalendar's style model · Middleweight roster (285 fighters)

PowerSpeedPrecisionDurabilityEngineWrestlingGround
Takedown Machine
99 · top 1% in division
Punch power83
Kick power61
Punch speed55
Kick speed55
Accuracy62
Takedowns99
Ground striking99
Submissions92
Chin79
Body strength90
Cardio90

Attributes are rated 0-100 by UFCalendar's style model.

By the numbers

Pro MMARecord: 24-9-0 · Source: UFCalendar
Striking
Strikes landed4.33per min
47% accuracy
Strikes absorbed3.02per min
51% avoided
Grappling
Takedowns landed2.92per 15 min
33% success
Takedowns stuffed80%
Submission attempts0.5per 15 min
UFC careerRecord: 14-7-0 · Source: UFCStats.com
Striking
Strikes landed3.60per min
47% accuracy
Strikes absorbed3.18per min
51% avoided
Grappling
Takedowns landed3.00per 15 min
32% success
Takedowns stuffed84%
Submission attempts0.6per 15 min
See every fight's numbers

Where they rank

All-time boards where Derek Brunson sits in the top 25.

Bonus résumé

Derek Brunson has won 3 UFC post-fight bonuses. Estimated bonus earnings: $150,000.

★ Fight of the Night ×2★ Performance of the Night ×1
  1. ★ POTNvs Lyoto Machida · UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs MachidaOct 29, 2017
  2. ★ FOTNvs Robert Whittaker · UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs BrunsonNov 26, 2016
  3. ★ FOTNvs Yoel Romero · UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs PhilippouJan 15, 2014

Estimates use each era's real amount: $50,000 from 2012, $100,000 from UFC 324, plus $25,000 finish incentives.

All-time bonus leaders →

Related fighters

Recent & upcoming opponents

Salary & career earnings

Disclosed purses, reported paydays and what we estimate Derek Brunson earns per fight.

Derek Brunson's salary & career earnings →

Official UFC Ranking

Derek Brunson's standing in the official UFC rankings, tracked since 2013.

Current
Unranked
Peak
#4 Middleweight
First ranked
Jul 13, 2015
Times ranked
318

Middleweight

#1#5#10#152016201820202022Jul 13, 2015 · #15Aug 10, 2015 · #12Aug 25, 2015 · #13Nov 9, 2015 · #12Nov 16, 2015 · #13Dec 21, 2015 · #12Jan 19, 2016 · #11Feb 1, 2016 · #12Feb 8, 2016 · #13Feb 23, 2016 · #12Feb 29, 2016 · #11Jun 20, 2016 · #10Sep 21, 2016 · #8Nov 30, 2016 · #9Dec 14, 2016 · #8Feb 13, 2017 · #9Mar 6, 2017 · #8Mar 15, 2017 · #9Apr 12, 2017 · #8Jul 18, 2017 · #7Oct 30, 2017 · #6Nov 8, 2017 · #7Nov 29, 2017 · #8Jan 29, 2018 · #7May 30, 2018 · #6Nov 7, 2018 · #8Apr 30, 2019 · #9Jul 2, 2019 · #8Sep 30, 2019 · #9Oct 28, 2019 · #8Nov 4, 2019 · #9Nov 18, 2019 · #8Aug 3, 2020 · #7Mar 23, 2021 · #4Apr 12, 2021 · #5Sep 6, 2021 · #4Jun 20, 2022 · #5Jul 4, 2022 · #4Sep 5, 2022 · #5Mar 7, 2023 · #8Aug 1, 2023 · #7Sep 12, 2023 · #8#8

View full UFC rankings →

UFCalendar Power Index rating

Current
1848▲7
Peak
1880Sep 4, 2021
Rated fights
33
15001650180020112014201720202023May 22, 2010 · 1535Jun 26, 2010 · 1579Jul 30, 2010 · 1611Oct 29, 2010 · 1640Dec 3, 2010 · 1671Jan 22, 2011 · 1702Jun 24, 2011 · 1723Jul 30, 2011 · 1745Nov 18, 2011 · 1759Jun 16, 2012 · 1748Aug 18, 2012 · 1724Dec 30, 2012 · 1750Nov 6, 2013 · 1774Jan 15, 2014 · 1732Aug 30, 2014 · 1755Jan 31, 2015 · 1786Aug 8, 2015 · 1821Feb 22, 2016 · 1844Sep 18, 2016 · 1855Nov 26, 2016 · 1838Feb 12, 2017 · 1824Jun 11, 2017 · 1839Oct 29, 2017 · 1849Jan 28, 2018 · 1836Nov 4, 2018 · 1821May 5, 2019 · 1833Aug 18, 2019 · 1844Aug 2, 2020 · 1858Mar 21, 2021 · 1868Sep 4, 2021 · 1880Feb 13, 2022 · 1861Mar 5, 2023 · 1841Nov 24, 2023 · 18481848

See the full Power Index →

Frequently asked questions

When does Derek Brunson fight next?

Derek Brunson fights Theo Doukas on Friday, November 20, 2026 at BKFC Fight Night Myrtle Beach: Richardson vs Oxendine.

What is Derek Brunson's record?

Derek Brunson's professional MMA record is 24-9-0.

Who is Derek Brunson fighting next?

Derek Brunson's next opponent is Theo Doukas at BKFC Fight Night Myrtle Beach: Richardson vs Oxendine.

Who did Derek Brunson fight last?

Derek Brunson most recently fought Ray Cooper III at PFL 10: 2023 PFL World Championship on Friday, November 24, 2023, WIN (Decision).

What weight class does Derek Brunson fight in?

Derek Brunson fights at Middleweight.

How many knockouts does Derek Brunson have?

Derek Brunson has 11 wins by KO/TKO and 5 wins by submission.

How many UFC bonuses has Derek Brunson won?

Derek Brunson has won 3 UFC post-fight bonuses: 2× Fight of the Night, 1× Performance of the Night.

How tall is Derek Brunson?

Derek Brunson is 6'1" (185 cm) tall.

How much does Derek Brunson weigh?

Derek Brunson weighs 185 lbs (84 kg).

What is Derek Brunson's reach?

Derek Brunson has a reach of 77" (196 cm).

How old is Derek Brunson?

Derek Brunson is 42 years old (born Jan 4, 1984).

Where is Derek Brunson from?

Derek Brunson is from the United States.

Get Derek Brunson's fight history and stats as JSON with the MMA Fight Data API →