Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Edmen Shahbazyan and Derek Brunson face off tonight (Sat. Aug. 1, 2020) in a main event Middleweight clash from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tonight’s headliner is really a classic prospect vs. veteran situation. Shahbazyan is climbing the ranks with really impressive speed, whereas Brunson has seen it all, having faced a who’s who of the best Middleweights in the world.
As it turned out, a patient Derek Brunson proved very capable of derailing the hype train. Brunson survived some big shots and wore his opponent out, unleashing some truly brutal ground strikes to batter Shahbazyan.
Round One
Brunson starts actively, kicking the body and throwing his left hand. Shahbazyan returns the favor, pitching right hands to the chest. Clean body kick scores for Brunson, followed by a good overhand from Shahbazyan. A pair of good left hands land for Brunson, who level changes into a successful double leg! Brunson gets one hook in and is working to take the back. Shahbazyan returns to his feet but eats a few hard shots. Shahbazyan rips the body with a hook and is swinging hard. Brunson lands another left from within the clinch. Shahbazyan lands a knee, but Brunson briefly takes him down off it. Shahbazyan lands another solid knee. Brunson digs a snap kick to the mid-section, eats an elbow just before the bell.
Round Two
Shahbazyan rips a really hard body kick early in the second. Brunson returns the favor (to a lesser degree) and lands a left. Brunson picks up a single leg, takes his foe down, then lands a left as Shahbazyan scrambles up. Brunson sticks a jab then punches the mid-section. Eye poke slows the action. Another heavy bod kick scores for Shabazyan, and he follows it up with a solid flurry. Brunson lands a hard kick of his own and then blasts his opponent with a couple left hands. Shahbazyan targets the mid-section with punches. Brunson lands another good left as Shahbazyan backs into the fence. Brunson trips his foe to the mat and takes side control. Heavy ground strikes land for Brunson, who moves into mount! Shahbazyan is taking nasty shots! “Golden Boy” manages to grab half guard and survive the onslaught. However, just before the bell, Brunson nearly puts his opponent to sleep with a brutal elbow and follow up punches.
“HE IS HURT.”
Watch the final moments of RD 2. #UFCVegas5 pic.twitter.com/Sc7n2TxFPy
— UFC (@ufc) August 2, 2020
Round Three
Brunson stalks his foe early, as Shahbazyan looks broken. Brunson throws him to the mat, takes the back, and Herb Dean mercifully moves in and saves him from punishment
Result: Derek Brunson defeats Edmen Shahbazyan via third-round TKO
For complete UFC Vegas 5: “Shahbazyan vs. Brunson” results and play-by-play, click HERE!