Perennial Middleweight Contender Derek Brunson No Longer on UFC Roster

❌Derek Brunson has reportedly been released from the UFC pic.twitter.com/buncFYMYBc

— Sherdog (@sherdogdotcom) September 15, 2023

Even though he was scheduled to face Roman Dolidze at UFC 295 on Nov. 11 in New York City’s world-famous Madison Square Garden, long-time Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight contender Derek Brunson has parted ways with the promotion. MMAFighting was first to report the news Thursday.

A part of the Las Vegas-based company for the past 11 years, Brunson, 39, stepped inside the Octagon a whopping 21 times and holds a record of 14-7 in the organization.

Perhaps one of the most consistent fighters in the division, Brunson faced the likes of Anderson Silva, Yoel Romero, Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya, Uriah Hall and Darren Till throughout his UFC tenure.

Despite being unable to secure a divisional crown, Brunson racked up two impressive runs to the title, often serving as a roadblock for up-and-coming contenders in the 185-pound division.

Brunson’s long-time manager Ali Abdelaziz had this to say about his client’s release from the UFC: “Derek Brunson has been under the UFC umbrella for 11 years,” Abdelaziz told MMAFighting. “He had an amazing career there. The last seven years he’s been in the Top 10 rankings. The UFC was amazing to him there, helped shape who he is today and I’m very grateful for the opportunity he was given. He has to move on and [I’m] looking forward to what comes next for him.”