Derek Brunson kommer under morgondagens gala att möta brasilianaren Ronaldo ’Jacare’ Souza under UFC on FOX 27 i Charlotte i North Carolina, vilket blir galans huvudmatch. Detta blir även en returmatch mellan de två, som vid första tillfället mötte varandra i Strikeforce 2012 där Souza segrade via knockout i första ronden.
Brunson försöker komma steget närmare en titelmatch och planerar nu att avsluta Souza, och samtidigt känner Brunson att han förtjänar en stor belöning om han lyckas göra det.
Via ’FloCombat’:
I might have to fight another one because [Robert] Whittaker being the champ would be the next to get the winner of [Luke Rockhold versus Yoel Romero]. It’s like, what the hell, here we go again. It’s always something. My plan is to go out here and finish [Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza]. I’m the No. 3 guy, if I finish this guy in the first round or finish him in impressive fashion, I’ll be OK to wait for my title shot. Jacare was looking invincible and thought he was going to get a title shot until he got impatient and he ended up fighting Romero and losing a very close fight. It was a split decision I believe.
Whittaker looked good against [Jacare], but people look at him as one of the best fighters on the planet. So, I’m putting the work in and I’m gonna show it in my performance. I go out here and smash this guy like I plan on doing, I feel I definitely should be rewarded. I fought a murderer’s row. If you look at the guys I fought, most people would have an even record. I fought everybody — whenever — I knock out guys who haven’t been knocked out before. I finish guys who haven’t been finished before. I’m putting in the work and I think it’s about time to reap some of the benefits.
Brunson har endast förlorat 2 av sina 9 senaste matcher i UFC. Förlusterna kom från mötet med den nuvarande mellanviktsmästaren Robert Whittaker och den forne mästaren Anderson Silva. Souza har segrat i 10 av de 12 senaste matcherna, varav ena förlusten var mot Yoel Romero i slutet av 2015.
