Derek Brunson walks back retirement talk, wants four fights in 2023
After saying he likely had only one fight left in him following his most recent bout, Derek Brunson has shifted gears and now seems keen to make 2023 one of the most active years of his career.
Brunson (23-8 MMA, 14-6 UFC), a longtime UFC middleweight contender, hasn’t competed since February, when he suffered a brutal TKO loss to Jared Cannonier. He said in the aftermath of the event that he would compete once more before hanging up the gloves.
Set to turn 39 on Jan. 4, Brunson has been an active fighter since early 2010. He fits the description of an athlete who could be prepared to move to the next chapter, but he’s backed away from that notion and instead is looking to make a multifight run next year (via Twitter):
4 fights in 2023 LFG . Where should we start !
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) December 27, 2022
4 fights in 2023 LFG . Where should we start !
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) December 27, 2022
Brunson, No. 6 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie middleweight rankings, was scheduled to fight Jack Hermansson at UFC on ESPN 42 this month, but was forced to withdraw due to injury.
Hermansson, who lost to replacement opponent Roman Dolidze, said he still would like for the matchup to happen. However, it remains to be seen what direction the UFC matchmakers go with Brunson ahead of what he hopes to be a busy year.
If Brunson gets his wish, it would be the first time since 2011 when he’s fought four times in a calendar year. He hasn’t fought more than twice in a year since 2017.