Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight, David Branch, has been calling for a showdown against top 185-pound contender, Ronaldo Souza, for the upcoming mixed martial arts (MMA) event on Aug. 22 in Brazil.
“I’ve been offered to fight ‘Jacare’ main event August 22nd in Brazil and he’s not feeling confident enough to take the fight,” Branch wrote on Twitter. “Officially we were being told by UFC the man who calls himself the alligator has been neutered. (Souza) has declined to fight in his homeland.”
He was probably too busy fertilizing his head.
“‘Jacare’ wants to fight someone ranked higher in the middleweight division, like rematches with Yoel Romero or Kelvin Gastelum, or a fight with Chris Weidman,” manager Gilberto Faria told MMA Fighting. “‘Jacare’ has always fought opponents ranked lower than him, and it’s time to face someone ahead of him.”
Branch (22-4) landed at No. 7 in the official rankings after his knockout win over Thiago Santos back in April, leaving the jiu-jitsu fighter 2-1 since making his Octagon return at UFC 211 roughly one year back.
Souza (25-6, 1 NC), meanwhile, dropped to No. 5 after coming up on the wrong end of a split decision to Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 224 just last month, effectively bouncing him from the middleweight title chase … at least for now.
Branch vs. Souza … who wants it?