Brunson signs with PFL, will make debut Nov. 24 vs. Cooper
Former UFC middleweight contender Derek Brunson has signed a deal with the PFL, his manager Ali Abdelaziz told MMA reporter The Schmo.
Brunson will make his PFL debut in a middleweight bout against Ray Cooper III on Nov. 24 in Washington D.C. The 39-year-old will then compete in the $1-million light heavyweight tournament in 2024.
Brunson suddenly left the UFC in September following a 21-fight run that began in 2012. He had been scheduled to take on Roman Dolidze in a contender bout at UFC 295 on Nov. 11 at New York's Madison Square Garden. Abdelaziz said at the time that the parting of ways was mutual.
Brunson, of North Carolina, was a longtime contender in the UFC middleweight division. He won five in a row between 2019 and 2021 and likely would have challenged then-champion Israel Adesanya for the title had he beaten Jared Cannonier in a February 2022 bout. Brunson is currently riding a two-fight skid, with his final UFC bout being a knockout loss to Dricus Du Plessis in March.
Brunson has never competed as a pro at 205 pounds.
UFC veteran Impa Kasanganay and Josh Silveira will meet for the PFL light heavyweight title in next month's 2023 finals.