By Mike Bohn | August 1, 2020 11:21 pm
Derek Brunson proved there’s levels to the middleweight elite as he handed Edmen Shahbazyan his first loss in the UFC on ESPN+ 31 main event.
Brunson (21-7 MMA, 12-5 UFC) was pegged by many as Shahbazyan’s (11-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) stepping stone to become youngest UFC champ in history. However, there were other plans in place on Saturday. Brunson scored the third-round TKO victory at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, putting him back
Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Brunson’s victory over Shahbazyan at UFC on ESPN+ 31.
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Edmen Shahbazyan out to “Use This Gospel” by Kanye West w/ Clipse and Kenny G
Derek Brunson to “Victory Lap” by Nipsey Hussle w/ Stacy Barthe#UFCVegas5
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) August 2, 2020
Black guys who bleach their hair blonde are wild boys. Never took Brunson for a wild boy. #UFCVegas5
— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) August 2, 2020
Shahbazyan going to the body a lot early. Brunson working those kicks
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) August 2, 2020
Shahbazyan is so goddamn cool and poised in there. Not phased by anything. He’s 22. #UFCVegas5
— E. Spencer Kyte (@spencerkyte) August 2, 2020
Great round for Brunson edmens throwing bombs though brunson needs to stay disciplined
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) August 2, 2020
I’m just wondering how is Brunson a 3-1 underdog? Good fight so far.
— Dan “50k” Ige (@Dynamitedan808) August 2, 2020
That house lighting change for when live action is in was pretty cool looking for the brief look production gave us there
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) August 2, 2020
Brunson is circling into Shaahbayzan’s power. Shabahzyan looking solid. He just needs to land a head kick soon! #UFCLasVegas5 @ufc @espn
— KEN SHAMROCK (@ShamrockKen) August 2, 2020
If Brunson doesn’t get keep this on the ground, it’s a wrap. Shahbazyan is COOKIN! #UFCVegas5
— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) August 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/EllenbergerMMA/status/1289759703052857345
Brunson wants to sprint across the cage with his chin on a platter so bad
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) August 2, 2020
Brunson taking his time, which is great to see as his all out first round style would cost him the fight sometimes, but it’s also what brought him a lot of his success. Gotta find that happy medium.
— michael (@bisping) August 2, 2020
Couple of real good lefts from Derek stun Edmen
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) August 2, 2020
Great fight! Shabazyan is the real deal but Brunson is on point tonight!
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) August 2, 2020
WHO asked for the main event slot AND 3 RDs?? If you aren’t ready for it, you shouldn’t take the spot. Pivotal division match-ups like this should always be 5 RDs whenever Main eventing. It’s not easy but this is the job! #DrunkTweets #ItsMyBirthdayBish #UFCVegas5
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) August 2, 2020
Edmen is slowing down a little I think Brunson is picking it up here
— Brian Kelleher (@brianboom135) August 2, 2020
Blonde brunson is a title contender
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) August 2, 2020
Brunson lands some serious ground and pound. If there were 10. more seconds, it would have been over. 10-9 for Brunson and the fight is even 19-19 on my card. But Shahbazyan is in BIG trouble #UFCVegas5
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) August 2, 2020
Fuck that kid was OUT
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) August 2, 2020
That man is OUT!! WTF!!!!
— Kevin MTP Lee (@MoTownPhenom) August 2, 2020
Herb Dean is a great referee but his confidence is not high right now. He just half waved off the fight after the second round. If referees need to be anything, it’s decisive.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) August 2, 2020
Huge second round for Brunson. Mixing things up nicely. Almost ko’d shabazyan at the end.
— michael (@bisping) August 2, 2020
Ahahahaha!!! Brunson cheatin-cheatin with the eye poke, but, Ric Flair. #UFCVegas5
— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) August 2, 2020
Brunson manhandles Shahbazyan to start round three and Herb Dean stops it. #UFCVegas5
— Rob Tatum (@RobTatum303) August 2, 2020
Dean took too long to stop that fight #Ufc
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) August 2, 2020
Early but sound call from herb dean. Brunson was just gonna punish him big time. No need for a young prospect to take unnecessary damage.
— michael (@bisping) August 2, 2020
Wow! Brunson with the upset! Good experience for the young fighter! Congratulations to Brunson great fight! #UFCVegas5 @ufc @espn
— KEN SHAMROCK (@ShamrockKen) August 2, 2020
Brunson looked good, in great shape. Smart first round, took over in 2nd and then got the finish. What a performance. @DerekBrunson should be proud. Head up @edmenshahbazyan what a great night of fights.
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 2, 2020
Nice one Brunson.
Really showed your level of experience in this fight.
Enjoy your time with your kids 🙌🏾✨— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) August 2, 2020
MIDDLEWEIGHT FINISHES – UFC History
11 – Anderson Silva
09 – Chris Leben
09 – Nate Marquardt
08 – Derek Brunson
08 – Thiago Santos
08 – Jacare Souza#UFCVegas5— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) August 2, 2020
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