Derek Brunson – Photo via Strikeforce.com
With an injury forcing Karlos Vemola out of a bout with Chris ‘The Crippler’ Leben (22-8) later this month at UFC 155, the Ultimate Fighting Championship promotion has turned to former Strikeforce fighter Derek ‘The Human Blanket’ Brunson (9-2) as a replacement.
Brunson posted the news on his Facebook page on Tuesday.
“UFC 155 Derek Brunson vs. Chris Leben. Words can’t express how excited I am. Thank you Jesus, time to show up!”
UFC 155: Dos Santos vs. Velasquez II is scheduled for December 29, 2012 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. No official announcement has been made by UFC officials but something is expected soon. The bout is expected to appear on the nights pay-per-view card.
Brunson has lost his last two fights, the first two defeats of his career, and will need to put in an impressive performance if he wants to keep his Zuffa contract. Brunson was knocked out in 41-seconds last August versus former Strikeforce champ Ronaldo Souza at the Rousey vs. Kaufman event. The other defeat was to Kendall Grove via split decision at a ShoFight 20 show in June. ‘The Human Blanket’ earned his last win in November 2011 under the Strikeforce banner by winning a decision over Nate James in Las Vegas.
Leben had been sitting out a one year suspension for a positive test for oxy-contin in November 2011 after a TKO loss to Mark Munoz at UFC 138. The defeat put his record at 1-2 over his last three Octagon appearances. The win was a 27-second knockout of Wanderlei Silva at UFC 132, while the other loss was a TKO stoppage versus Brian Stann at UFC 125.