UFC on ESPN+ 31 free fight: Derek Brunson knocks out Lyoto Machida

Derek Brunson has proven he has the ability to end fights quickly.

In October 2017, Brunson (20-7 MMA, 11-5 UFC) faced Lyoto Machida in the main event of UFC Fight Night 119 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, looking to score another first-round finish.

In the opening minute, Brunson was cautious as he tried to figure out the elusive, signature striking rhythm of Machida. Brunson then started to put his foot on the gas pedal, pressuring Machida and charging at him with a combination that Machida was able to evade.

Halfway through Round 1, Brunson landed an overhand left that wobbled Machida. Brunson pounced all over him, dropping brutal ground and pound which sent “The Dragon” into the realm of the unconscious.

Brunson would go on to lose his next two in a row to Ronaldo Souza and current UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. In his last two outings, Brunson came out with a much more reserved and tamed approach, outpointing Elias Theodorou and Ian Heinisch for two straight wins.

Brunson returns Saturday when he meets Edmen Shahbazyan (11-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) in the UFC on ESPN+ 31 headliner. The event takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Before he faces Shahbazyan, relive Brunson’s finish over Machida in the video above.