Derek Brunson Explains UFC Departure: 'It Wasn't Working Out'

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight contender Derek Brunson had his reasons for choosing to move on from the Las Vegas-based promotion to the Professional Fighters League.

Brunson was initially slated to face Roman Dolidze at UFC 295 on Nov. 11 in New York. However, halfway through September, Brunson's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, confirmed that the UFC and "The One" had mutually parted ways.

Brunson is now signed with the PFL, where he will face two-time welterweight champion Ray Cooper III in his promotional debut on Nov. 24.

In a recent interview with ESPN, Brunson shared why he chose to leave the Las Vegas-based promotion and eventually join the PFL.

“It just didn't work out, you know,” Brunson said. “I don't know, PFL is just a great opportunity for me, a new challenge, new venture, I'm motivated. I would say with the UFC, just being on these streaks and not getting my title shot, which I felt I deserved. I was on two five-fight winning streaks and I never got the title shot. Even back in the day, I had guys who were champions that wouldn't accept the fight against me so it kind of left me in no man's land and fight like a title eliminator. But yeah man, new motivation, new venture for me.”

Brunson is currently on a two-fight losing streak. Both bouts ended with "The One" getting finished in Round 2, first against Jared Cannonier in February 2022 followed by Dricus Du Plessis in March 2023. The 39-year-old plans on moving up to light heavyweight and competing for the $1 million tournament prize once he's done with his PFL debut at middleweight.