Tag: Derek Brunson

Blonde Brunson Roasts ‘Nutty Professor Lookin’ Jared Cannonier

It looks like Derek Brunson aka “Blonde Brunson” is ready for his fight with Jared Cannonier.

Sitting at number four in the rankings, and riding a five-fight winning streak, Blonde Brunson is not far from a title shot, and rematch with Israel Adesa…

Derek Brunson Jared Cannonier

It looks like Derek Brunson aka “Blonde Brunson” is ready for his fight with Jared Cannonier.

Sitting at number four in the rankings, and riding a five-fight winning streak, Blonde Brunson is not far from a title shot, and rematch with Israel Adesanya. However, with news recently breaking that the UFC is hoping to book Adesanya in a rematch with Robert Whittaker, it seems clear that he will have to secure at least one more victory before he is considered to be the top contender at 185lb.

So in the meantime, Brunson will be turning his attention to a fight with the man ranked above him, Jared Cannonier, with the two slated to throw down at UFC 270, on January 22nd. Ahead of their important bout, Brunson took to his Twitter to poke a little fun at his upcoming opponent, roasting him over his previous physique, when he was fighting at heavyweight, before eventually losing weight and getting more shredded for his run at middleweight.

“I knew it , I knew it. Cannonier you ain’t slick, ol Nutty Professor lookin boy ???” Brunson wrote.

Obviously, this was all I good spirits, but this was an absolutely hilarious comparison for Brunson to make. With that said, the fight between these two will be all business, as each man looks to establish themselves as a worthy challenger for the title.

Brunson has looked nearly unstoppable since his 2018 loss to Adesanya, racking up impressive wins over the likes of Darren Till, Kevin Holland, and Edmen Shahbazyan. Conversely, Cannonier has won four of his last five, with his only setback being a close fight with former champ Robert Whittaker.

Derek Brunson and Jared Cannonier will be facing off at UFC 270, on January 22nd. It will be interesting to see how these two top middleweights square up when the time comes.

Continue Reading Blonde Brunson Roasts ‘Nutty Professor Lookin’ Jared Cannonier at MMA News.

Neal Tells Brunson To “Mind Your Business” After Welterweight Criticism

After Derek Brunson slammed the UFC welterweight roster for not calling out Khamzat Chimaev, Geoff Neal has told the middleweight contender to focus on his own division.

Chimaev returned to action after over a year on the sidelines at UFC 267 last …

Derek Brunson, Geoff Neal

After Derek Brunson slammed the UFC welterweight roster for not calling out Khamzat Chimaev, Geoff Neal has told the middleweight contender to focus on his own division.

Chimaev returned to action after over a year on the sidelines at UFC 267 last month. Having established his name with three dominant wins against John Phillips, Rhys McKee, and Gerald Meerschaert in the space of just 66 days last year, “Borz” found himself contemplating retirement after a battle with COVID-19.

After a full recovery, Chimaev returned to Abu Dhabi for his fourth Octagon outing on October 30. Against ranked contender Li Jingliang, the Chechen-born Swede kept his hype train on the tracks with an impressive first-round submission. In the aftermath, Chimaev put the rest of the welterweight division on notice.

Having entered the 170-pound top 10, it seems likely Chimaev is only one or two wins away from a shot at welterweight gold. With that in mind, Brunson, who is currently battling to secure a rematch with 185-pound king Israel Adesanya, slammed the contenders in the weight class below him for letting “Borz” jump them in the queue. Brunson suggested welterweights were “tripping” for not calling Chimaev out.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVwFeO7P5yN/?utm_source=ig_embed

““So y’all WWs are just going to let Khamzat Chimaev pass y’all in the rankings, title shots & not call him out. Y’all tripping”

Neal Advises Brunson To Focus On His Own Division

Now, one ranked welterweight has hit back at Brunson. Speaking during an interview with MMA News’ James Lynch, #11-ranked Geoff Neal questioned his UFC peer’s decision to criticize his fellow athletes. “Handz of Steel” also pointed out that top-10 contender Neil Magny has continuously called Chimaev out, while most others are already booked in fights.

“I disagree, for sure. Because a lot of the welterweights are already matched up first of all. Second of all, you don’t know the negotiations that are going behind it… Neil Magny’s been calling him (Chimaev) out for damn-near a whole year. You know what I mean, he can’t say people having been calling him out,” Neal told MMA News.

Neal also criticized Brunson for attempting to create a negative narrative about another division. According to the 31-year-old, the middleweight needs to mind his business and focus on his own division.

“You don’t know nothing about no negotiations. You’re a middleweight, worry about middleweight. Don’t try to start this narrative, this negative narrative, on our division. We’re supposed to be fucking co-workers. Don’t sit here and try to start a negative narrative on us. Like, the hell? Mind your business, bro. Worry about what you’ve got going on. “

Catch our full interview with Geoff Neal ahead of UFC 269 below:

After losing two on the bounce against Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson and Magny, Neal will be looking to return to the win column when he’s back in action at UFC 269 on December 11. At a stacked final pay-per-view of the year, “Handz of Steel” is set to face Santiago Ponzinibbio.

Do you agree with Geoff Neal? Should Derek Brunson focus his attention on his own division?

Continue Reading Neal Tells Brunson To “Mind Your Business” After Welterweight Criticism at MMA News.

Derek Brunson Calls For ‘Legend’ Frankie Edgar To Bring An End To His MMA Career

Derek BrunsonUFC middleweight contender, Derek Brunson has called for former undisputed lightweight champion and multiple-time featherweight championship challenger, Frankie Edgar to bring an end to his professional mixed martial arts career, off the back of his most recent loss to bantamweight striker, Marlon Vera last weekend. Featuring on the main card of UFC 268 at Madison […]

Derek Brunson

UFC middleweight contender, Derek Brunson has called for former undisputed lightweight champion and multiple-time featherweight championship challenger, Frankie Edgar to bring an end to his professional mixed martial arts career, off the back of his most recent loss to bantamweight striker, Marlon Vera last weekend.

Featuring on the main card of UFC 268 at Madison Square Garden, Toms River native, Edgar was en route to a likely decision loss to Ecuadorian finisher, Vera before the beginning of a championship doubleheader, before he was finished in the third round with a brutal front kick knockout.

The defeat came as Edgar’s second consecutively since his move to the bantamweight ranks back in August of last year where he managed to take Fight of the Night honors in a close split decision victory over Pedro Munhoz in a UFC Apex facility headliner.

1-4 in his last five UFC outings, Edgar brought an end to his extended featherweight run with a pair of losses to then-champion, Max Holloway, and a knockout loss to former title challenger, Chan Sung Jung. Before his loss to Vera on Saturday last weekend, the New Jersey veteran suffered a brutal 28-second flying knee knockout loss to recent interim bantamweight title chaser, Cory Sandhagen. 

Derek Brunson calls for Frankie Edgar to end his MMA career following recent UFC 268 loss

Reacting to Edgar’s loss Vera at UFC 268, upcoming UFC 270 main card feature, the veteran middleweight mainstay, Brunson claimed that he hoped Edgar would now hang up his gloves off the back of another knockout defeat — or at least limit his future to just one last fight.

“Random thought,” Derek Brunson tweeted. “I do not want to see Frankie Edgar compete in MMA anymore. At best once more. He carried the sport for years, former UFC champ, competed at 3 different weight classes. He has nothing else to prove or achieve. A complete legend of the sport. (praying hands emoji) #JustMyOpinion“

Over the course of his decorated UFC career — which began all the way back in February 2007, and has included a lightweight title triumph against former two-weight champion, B.J. Penn. Scoring three successful title defenses, Edgar has defeated the likes of Cub Swanson, Jeremy Stephens, Chad Mendes, Urijah Faber, Charles Oliveira, Gray Maynard, Sean Sherk, Hermes Franca, Spencer Fisher, and upcoming headliner, Yair Rodriguez to name a few. 

As for North Carolina native, Derek Brunson, the streaking contender is slated to feature on the main card of UFC 270 in January in a potential title-eliminator against fellow contender, Jared Cannonier. 

Derek Brunson Baffled That Welterweights Aren’t Calling Out Chimaev

UFC middleweight contender Derek Brunson has slammed the current crop of ranked welterweights for not calling out rising star Khamzat Chimaev.

Chimaev burst onto the scene last year. After six professional fights and six finishes, four of which cam…

Derek Brunson, Khamzat Chimaev & Li Jingliang

UFC middleweight contender Derek Brunson has slammed the current crop of ranked welterweights for not calling out rising star Khamzat Chimaev.

Chimaev burst onto the scene last year. After six professional fights and six finishes, four of which came via knockouts, “Borz” made his UFC debut on Fight Island in July. At UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Ige, Chimaev announced his arrival with an utterly dominant performance against John Phillips.

Just 10 days later, Chimaev faced Rhys McKee. Another destructive showing saw him record back-to-back performance bonuses and mark a new record for the fastest consecutive wins in modern UFC history. His third fight saw him set another record, this time for the fastest three-fight winning streak (66 days). Against Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Vegas 11, the Chechen-born Swede showed his power on the feet, knocking the veteran out in just 17 seconds.

After a rough battle with COVID-19, which saw multiple bookings with Leon Edwards fall through and even thought of retirement enter his head, Chimaev returned to action after over a year at UFC 267 this past weekend. Against the #11-ranked Li Jingliang, Chimaev showed that his hype is well-deserved. In the opening round, “Borz” effortless grounded “The Leech,” took his back, and put him to sleep with a rear-naked choke.

Brunson Says Ranked Welterweights Are “Tripping”

Chimaev’s victory accomplished a host of feats. Not only did he return in style against a high-ranked contender, but he established himself as a threat to Kamaru Usman’s welterweight throne, extended his unbeaten record to 10-0, and broke the UFC’s Instagram Live record during his walk to the Octagon.

One of the hottest discussions to come out of the Abu Dhabi event has surrounded what’s next for Chimaev. At the moment, it appears interest in a clash with Stockton superstar Nate Diaz is leading the way, both among fans and inside the UFC. Dana White recently suggested he’s 100% down for booking that clash. But one man doesn’t understand why the 170-pound top 15 is remaining quiet.

#4-ranked middleweight Derek Brunson has questioned why the division’s top contenders are allowing “Borz” to climb the welterweight ladder without being called out. Taking to social media, the veteran suggested they’re “tripping” for letting the 27-year-old advance past them.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVwFeO7P5yN/

“So y’all WWs are just going to let Khamzat Chimaev pass y’all in the rankings, title shots & not call him out. Y’all tripping”

Despite Brunson’s claims, Chimaev has been called out by a top-10 welterweight. Neil Magny, who’s previously expressed a willingness to face the surging prospect, claimed he can be the one to drag Chimaev into deep waters. Replying to a post uploaded to Instagram by ESPN MMA, which included a post-fight quote from Chimaev, “The Haitian Sensation” said, “Let’s go then.” He further laid down a challenge for December.

Who would you like to see Khamzat Chimaev face next?

Continue Reading Derek Brunson Baffled That Welterweights Aren’t Calling Out Chimaev at MMA News.

Blonde Brunson Continues To Roast Paulo Costa Over Weight Issues

Derek Brunson has decided to continue his comedic route of Paulo Costa following UFC Vegas 41. Paulo Costa became the subject of some bad press after reportedly holding the UFC Vegas 41 main event hostage. Costa is said to have requested multiple changes to the weight class his bout against Marvin Vettori would be contested […]

Continue Reading Blonde Brunson Continues To Roast Paulo Costa Over Weight Issues at MMA News.

Derek Brunson has decided to continue his comedic route of Paulo Costa following UFC Vegas 41.

Paulo Costa became the subject of some bad press after reportedly holding the UFC Vegas 41 main event hostage. Costa is said to have requested multiple changes to the weight class his bout against Marvin Vettori would be contested at. What started out as a conventional 185-lb middleweight bout ballooned up to 205 by the time weigh-in day arrived.

Many people were off-put if not outright offended by Costa’s antics, but not fellow middleweight contender Derek Brunson, AKA “Blonde Brunson.” Blonde Brunson has progressively become a mythical figure within the MMA community, known mostly for his immunization to losses.

Whether it’s in the Octagon or in the sportsbook, Blonde Brunson has proven to be a winner. He has even made an aggressive go at comedy, including extending a hilarious invitation to Paulo Costa to the “Blonde Brunson Barbeque.”

Monday, Brunson took to Instagram to continue to share more funnies at the expense of his quasi-middleweight peer Paulo Costa.

In the above meme, a hyperbolically overweight Paulo Costa can be seen leering into the camera. According to Blonde Brunson’s interpretation, the Brazilian is eying his next main course, which could be any (or every) one of his growing list of critics.

One person who wasn’t laughing at Paulo Costa’s UFC Vegas 41 weight struggles was UFC President Dana White. Though Costa impressed the boss with his performance against Vettori, it was not enough to stop White from banishing him from the middleweight division and requiring that he compete at light heavyweight henceforth.

Vettori defeated Costa via unanimous decision in the UFC Vegas 41 main event. As for Blonde Brunson, he will look to continue his winning ways when he locks up with Jared Cannonier at UFC 270 on January 22.

Continue Reading Blonde Brunson Continues To Roast Paulo Costa Over Weight Issues at MMA News.

Costa Is Invited To The ‘Blonde Brunson Barbecue’ After Weight Issues

Derek Brunson has given Paulo Costa an invite to the barbecue, even though he might eat all the food. It seems like almost the entire MMA community has been frustrated with Costa this week after he took his middleweight fight with Marvin Vettori and turned it into a 195lb catchweight on fight week before adding […]

Continue Reading Costa Is Invited To The ‘Blonde Brunson Barbecue’ After Weight Issues at MMA News.

Derek Brunson has given Paulo Costa an invite to the barbecue, even though he might eat all the food.

It seems like almost the entire MMA community has been frustrated with Costa this week after he took his middleweight fight with Marvin Vettori and turned it into a 195lb catchweight on fight week before adding another 10lb hours before weigh-ins. While some may consider it a power move or a heel turn, the general consensus is that it is unprofessional and disrespectful to his opponent.

While fellow middleweight contender Derek Brunson does not appear to be as heated about the situation as some, he still could not hesitate to poke some fun at Costa online. Posting to Instagram, he shared a meme that was made of Borrachina, sitting in front of a table full of food, while saying that whether he was 25lb overweight or not, he was invited to the barbecue.

“Paulo Costa aka Paulo Pasta aka Eating At All Costa showed up to fight week 25lb over weight. Welcome to the Blonde Brunson Cook-Out ???” Brunson wrote.

Brunson did not drop it there either, following this up with another post, this time to Twitter. This one seemed a little less jovial though, where he pointed out how quickly a fighter can cut six pounds, like Costa supposedly did, and openly wondering what the Brazilian’s excuse is going to be.

“I can’t wait for the Costa excuses after the fight . This man cut 6lbs during fight week. You can literally do that in 30 minutes ?” he quipped.

On the surface, this might seem like Derek Brunson putting his photoshop skills to use so he could troll Paulo Costa, but then when you consider that Blonde Brunson is on a five-fight streak and ranked number four, he could be just as easily vying for a number one contender’s fight with the winner, after his UFC 270 scrap with Jared Cannonier. Either way, it was entertaining for the fans to see.

Continue Reading Costa Is Invited To The ‘Blonde Brunson Barbecue’ After Weight Issues at MMA News.