Manager: PFL Signs Former UFC Middleweight Derek Brunson for 205-Pound Tourney

Longtime Ultimate Fighting Championship contender Derek Brunson hopes to continue the trend of UFC castouts winning the million-dollar check in his new division.

On Thursday, The Schmo released an interview conducted with Dominance MMA head Ali Abdelaziz, who explained that Brunson (23-9) is moving onto greener pastures. The former Strikeforce vet was initially slated to meet Roman Dolidze in November, but instead, Brunson was released from the organization altogether. Per the manager, the parting between the UFC and Brunson was “mutual” and both “very smooth” and “very respectful.” Brunson has now signed with Professional Fighters League.

“Derek Brunson, he signed with PFL,” Abdelaziz stated. “He’s a PFL fighter. He’s going to fight before the end of the year. He did a lot for the UFC, the UFC did a lot for him, he [had] a great career…and now, he’s looking to make his run at [the] light heavyweight title for PFL.”

When Brunson competes again, he will be looking to snap a two-fight skid that dates back to 2022. The middleweight title hopeful had strung together five straight wins, including a knockout of Edmen Shahbazyan and a tapout of Darren Till, only to get finished by Jared Cannonier and Dricus Du Plessis late into the second round of their bouts. Over the years, the Kill Cliff FC fighter has beaten the likes of Lyoto Machida, Chris Leben, Uriah Hall and Lorenz Larkin, to name but a few of his many conquests.

“But I think Derek Brunson’s time there [at the UFC] is done, and he has to move up to light heavyweight, and probably can win a million dollars in this tournament,” the former World Series of Fighting matchmaker concluded.

Brunson will be joining the light heavyweight division of PFL, as the organization has not maintained a middleweight category since Louis Taylor prevailed in 2018. Of the four years of light heavyweight tourneys, UFC alums have won three thus far, with Sean O'Connell, Antonio Carlos Jr. and Rob Wilkinson all claiming the top prize at season’s end. If Impa Kasanganay defeats Joshua Silveira in November, four of five UFC veterans will have run the table. Brunson will be aiming to make that five out of six when he enters the 205-pound bracket in 2024.

The PFL has currently set its lineup for the 2023 Season PFL Championships event on Nov. 24 with 11 bouts on the card. This includes the six title fights at light heavyweight, featherweight, welterweight, women’s featherweight, heavyweight and lightweight. The billing also contains a non-title tilt between Kayla Harrison and Julia Budd on the main card, as well as an amateur appearance for Biaggio Ali Walsh, plus three non-tourney prelim affairs.