Derek Brunson Calls For Clash With Paulo Costa At UFC 256

Brunson

Streaking middleweight contender, Derek Brunson has called his next shot. In the midst of an eye-catching run – the North Carolina native has issued a callout to recent division title challenger, Paulo ‘The Eraser’ Costa for UFC 256 on December 12th.

Riding a three-fight winning run – the 35-year-old most recently headlined UFC Fight Night Vegas 5 on short-notice on August 1st. – bumped up to the headlining slot. Matching with division prospect, Edmen Shahbazyan, Brunson scored quite the upset win with an early third-round knockout victory.

The triumph marked Brunson’s third in the last eighteen months, following decision triumphs opposite former UFC feature, Elias Theodorou, and one-time interim LFA middleweight champion, Ian Heinisch. 

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For Costa, the Belo Horizonte striker took main event honours of his own at UFC 253, challenging for his first title in the promotion – opposite rival, Israel ‘The Last Stylebender’ Adesanya. In a largely disappointing performance, Costa dropped a second-round knockout after a counter left hook and subsequent ground-and-pound from Adesanya. The defeat marked the Brazilian’s first professional blemish in thirteen outings. 

Yesterday evening, Brunson took to his official Twitter account, calling for a pairing with Costa at the December 12th. event – mentioning his manager, Ali Abdelaziz – as well as promotional leader, Dana White, and matchmaker, Mick Maynard.

Has anyone seen or heard from @BorrachinhaMMA. Someone ask him if he’s available Dec 12! @AliAbdelaziz00 @Mickmaynard2 @danawhite 🧐

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A twenty-eight fight veteran, Brunson, who has competed for the likes of Strikeforce, and WEF before his move to the UFC, has notched high-profile career wins over names such as Chris Leben, Lorenz Larkin, Sam Alvey, common-foe, Uriah Hall, Dan Kelly, and former light heavyweight gold holder, Lyoto Machida.

Following his elimination from The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3 – Costa has scored victories over the likes of former welterweight titleholder, Johny Hendricks, the above noted, Hall – as well as his title earning a victory over multiple-time title challenger, Yoel Romero.

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Taking headlining honours at UFC 256 on December 12th. – welterweight titleholder, Kamaru Usman looks to score his third straight title defence, when he welcomes streaking contender, Gilbert Burns. In the night’s co-headliner as part of our championship doubleheader, two-weight world champion, Amanda Nunes takes on Megan Anderson in a featherweight title clash.