Derek Brunson – Photo via Strikeforce.com
Undefeated Strikeforce middleweight Derek ‘The Human Blanket’ Brunson (9-0) was pulled from the upcoming Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey card on Tuesday after the Ohio Athletic Commission refused to provide him a fight license after a failed medical for his eyes.
Brunson had been scheduled to face Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza at the March 3rd event, leaving the promotion scrambling with just over a weeks notice to find a new opponent.
The issue at hand is Brunson’s vision.
Brunson has worn contact lenses for all of his previous fights, even going back to when he wrestled in college, but because his eyesight has deteriorated past the point where the Commission feels it’s unsafe to allow someone to fight, they denied him a license.
According to MMAjunkie.com, the Ohio Commission does allow fighters the use of contact lenses but only to a certain grade of vision loss. Brunson’s uncorrected vision stands at 20/400, which is double the limit allowed by the OAC which sets it’s cut-off at 20/200 for one eye and 20/60 for both.
Brunson is now set to undergo laser eye surgery to repair his eyes, something he’s been planning for awhile, but after Tuesday’s debacle he is making time for.
Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey is set for March 3rd at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio and will coincide with the Arnold Sports Festival.