Derek Brunson Cleared to Train, Hoping for Aug. 20 UFC Return

Derek Brunson won’t be competing at UFC 200 as initially planned, but if he gets his way he will return to the Octagon later this summer.

The middleweight contender revealed via Facebook that he has been cleared to compete after a vision problem forced him to withdraw from a proposed matchup with Gegard Mousasi. As a result, Thiago Santos stepped in for Brunson and will face Mousasi in a UFC 200 preliminary matchup on Saturday in Las Vegas.

“[Three] doctor visits later. Abq - Vegas - NC - Vegas all is well on team Brunson,” he wrote. “Thanks to the UFC for the swift appointments. I haven't been able to train in 3-4 weeks, the doctor gave me the ok to start back training. The eyes are about 90 [percent], so I'll be looking to get booked soon maybe UFC 202 then UFC 205 in Madison Square Garden!”

UFC 202 takes place on Aug. 20 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and is headlined by a rematch between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor. The card is not yet complete, so it is possible that Brunson could find a place on the lineup. UFC 205 is set for Nov. 12 in New York and marks the Las Vegas-based promotion’s debut in The Empire State; no bouts have been announced for the bill as of yet.

Brunson, 32, has won four straight fights and six of his seven Octagon appearances overall. He has finished his last three opponents -- Roan Carneiro, Sam Alvey, Ed Herman -- via first round knockout or technical knockout.