Monday Morning Hangover: What’s next for Derek Brunson after suffering TKO loss in Melbourne?

Another weekend of fisticuffs has come and gone, as UFC Fight Night 101 blew the roof off Rod Laver Arena this past weekend (Sat., Nov. 26, 2016) in Melbourne, Australia.

For complete UFC Fight Night 101 results and coverage click here.

Plenty of fighters were left licking their wounds, including Jake Mathews, who lost a razor-thin split decision to Andrew Holbrook in the co-headlining fight of the evening (recap here).

And Khalil Rountree, who was submitted by Octagon newcomer Tyson Pedro in the very first round (see it again here). But which fighter is suffering from the worst post-fight hangover, now 48 hours removed from the show?

Derek Brunson.

Coming into his main event Middleweight bout against Robert Whittaker, Brunson knew another win would put him right in the thick of things in the crowded title picture.

But after storming out of the gate, swinging for the fences as if he was in a hurry to get back home, Derek — who proved to be overzealous — ultimately got caught by a more patient Whittaker.

After a eating one of the Aussie’s patented left hooks, Brunson was then peppered repeatedly by Whittaker and was ultimately drilled by a high kick and finished via ground-and-pound (see it again here).

After the loss, Derek didn’t bite his tongue when critiquing his own performance.

“It definitely sucks, worked really hard to put together this streak. But when you come out here and fight with no gameplan, I looked like a chump out here tonight, but I take it on the chin, take it for what it’s worth,” he said during the post fight presser. “I know I’m better than I showed, this sport is growing and it’s about patience rather than getting caught up in five in a row, wanting a title shot, main event; but remembering to put on a great fight and also be smart.”

Granted, while Brunson may have been a bit careless, his aggressiveness is nothing new. In fact, it’s that same style that put him in the position he was in, winning four straight fights with consecutive first-round finishes via strikes thanks to his aggressiveness prior to the loss.

But, with a great counter puncher like Whittaker standing across him, it proved to be recipe for disaster.

Now, the 32-year-old bruiser will go back to the drawing board as he attempts to mount another winning streak in order to climb the middleweight ranks.

And while he won’t be getting a title shot anytime soon, perhaps a showdown against a former champion is in order, as I’m feeling a 185-pound showdown against Chris Weidman for his comeback fight.

“All American” was last seen getting blasted by Yoel Romero at UFC 205 a few weeks ago (see it again here), suffering his second straight defeat. A showdown against Weidman will give Brunson another high-profile fight and a shot at redemption against a proven vet.

Anyone else feeling this matchup, or nah?

Another weekend of fisticuffs has come and gone, as UFC Fight Night 101 blew the roof off Rod Laver Arena this past weekend (Sat., Nov. 26, 2016) in Melbourne, Australia.

For complete UFC Fight Night 101 results and coverage click here.

Plenty of fighters were left licking their wounds, including Jake Mathews, who lost a razor-thin split decision to Andrew Holbrook in the co-headlining fight of the evening (recap here).

And Khalil Rountree, who was submitted by Octagon newcomer Tyson Pedro in the very first round (see it again here). But which fighter is suffering from the worst post-fight hangover, now 48 hours removed from the show?

Derek Brunson.

Coming into his main event Middleweight bout against Robert Whittaker, Brunson knew another win would put him right in the thick of things in the crowded title picture.

But after storming out of the gate, swinging for the fences as if he was in a hurry to get back home, Derek — who proved to be overzealous — ultimately got caught by a more patient Whittaker.

After a eating one of the Aussie’s patented left hooks, Brunson was then peppered repeatedly by Whittaker and was ultimately drilled by a high kick and finished via ground-and-pound (see it again here).

After the loss, Derek didn’t bite his tongue when critiquing his own performance.

“It definitely sucks, worked really hard to put together this streak. But when you come out here and fight with no gameplan, I looked like a chump out here tonight, but I take it on the chin, take it for what it’s worth,” he said during the post fight presser. “I know I’m better than I showed, this sport is growing and it’s about patience rather than getting caught up in five in a row, wanting a title shot, main event; but remembering to put on a great fight and also be smart.”

Granted, while Brunson may have been a bit careless, his aggressiveness is nothing new. In fact, it’s that same style that put him in the position he was in, winning four straight fights with consecutive first-round finishes via strikes thanks to his aggressiveness prior to the loss.

But, with a great counter puncher like Whittaker standing across him, it proved to be recipe for disaster.

Now, the 32-year-old bruiser will go back to the drawing board as he attempts to mount another winning streak in order to climb the middleweight ranks.

And while he won’t be getting a title shot anytime soon, perhaps a showdown against a former champion is in order, as I’m feeling a 185-pound showdown against Chris Weidman for his comeback fight.

“All American” was last seen getting blasted by Yoel Romero at UFC 205 a few weeks ago (see it again here), suffering his second straight defeat. A showdown against Weidman will give Brunson another high-profile fight and a shot at redemption against a proven vet.

Anyone else feeling this matchup, or nah?