Continuously underestimated, Derek Brunson played the role of spoiler when he took on a highly-touted prospect.
Brunson faced the formerly unbeaten Edmen Shahbazyan in the UFC Fight Night 173 main event in August, which took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Looking to claim his third straight win, Brunson showed off his more patient self, as he adopted a tactical approach in Round 1. After some good exchanges on the feet by both men, Brunson was able to briefly take Shahbazyan down, but Shahbazyan worked his way back up and started to fire big shots Brunson’s way. Brunson went back to the clinch and, even though he was unsuccessful in his takedown attempt, the pressure started to wear on Shahbazyan, who had only gone past Round 1 once in his professional MMA career.
In Round 2, Brunson continued to mix up his approach, with his switch from striking to wrestling eventually paying dividends. He landed a takedown on a visibly tired Shahbazyan at the end of the round and proceeded to unleash heavy ground and pound that cut Shahbazyan open right at the sound of the horn.
Shahbazyan barely made it back to his corner and, just 26 seconds into the third round, Brunson was able to drag Shahbazyan down and put him away.
Brunson (21-7 MMA, 12-5 UFC) returns to action this week when he faces Kevin Holland (21-5 MMA, 8-2 UFC) in the main event of UFC on ESPN 21, which takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Before he faces Holland, relive Brunson’s finish over Shahbazyan in the video above.
UFC free fight: Derek Brunson derails Edmen Shahbazyan’s hype train in Vegas
