Derek Brunson had to wait an extra six weeks for his chance to meet Ed Herman.
Once they finally got into the cage, he wasted little time getting the job done.
Brunson needed just 36 seconds to finish the veteran Saturday night at UFC 183 in Las Vegas. A huge right hand followed by a straight left floored Herman, then a big ground-and-pound flurry got the job finished.
“This feels really good,” said Brunson (13-3), who improved to 4-1 in the UFC. “I had a tough opponent, but Ed, he’s been around the whole time, eight years, he’s as tough as it gets. I’m going to keep working hard and keep getting better.”
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The bout was originally scheduled for UFC on FOX 13 in Phoenix last month, but was scrapped the day of the fight after Brunson had to pull out due to a stomach ailment. The two later exchanged words at the airport after the fight.
Herman (22-11) has dropped two of his past three.