Derek Brunson had something to say in the main event UFC on ESPN+ 31 Saturday night.
The middleweight veteran overcame some significant strikes of prospect Edmen Shahbazyan in the first two rounds to emerge with a third round stoppage at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Shahbazyan was checked by the doctor at the end of the second round and after a lengthy consultation, was deemed fit to continue. But Brunson left no doubt in the third frame, forcing referee Herb Dean to call the bout 26 seconds in after follow-up strikes.
💰 PERFORMANCES OF THE NIGHT 💰
💵: Luque, Maia
[ B2YB @Thorne_Research ] pic.twitter.com/TCR6dzTu4U
— UFC (@ufc) August 2, 2020
Bobby Green and Lando Vanetta secured Fight of the Night, while Vicente Luque and Jennifer Maia earned performances of the night Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
Two fights. Two FOTNs. 💰 50K for Groovy & King.
[ B2YB @ToyoTires ] pic.twitter.com/W4PiJ1kUIz
— UFC (@ufc) August 2, 2020
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
Update on tonight's card. #UFCVegas5 pic.twitter.com/eHpuyn5tGs
— UFC (@ufc) August 2, 2020
In case you missed the prelims:
CHRIS GUTTIERIEZ VS. CODY DURDEN UD (28-28, 28-28, 28-28)
JAMALL EMMERS DEF. VICENT CHACERO VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
NATHAN MANESS DEF. JOHNNY MUNOZ VIA UD (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
JONATHAN MARTINEZ DEF. FRANKIE SAENZ VIA TKO (KNEE AND PUNCHES) R3 0:57
MAIN CARD
LANDO VANETTA VS. BOBBY GREEN
HUGE RIGHT HOOK! 🤯 These two are trading early and often. #UFCVegas5 pic.twitter.com/wE4UY0DThx
— UFC (@ufc) August 2, 2020
WINNER: BOBBY GREEN VIA UD (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: LANDO VANETTA VIA UD
Andrews: Green just went in there and enforced his gameplan. Good win.
#11 RANDY BROWN VS. VICENTE LUQUE
THE SILENT ASSASSIN! 🤫@VicenteLuqueMMA's KO shots are UNREAL.
📺 The co-main is next on E+ pic.twitter.com/k9RqY7J2rE
— UFC (@ufc) August 2, 2020
WINNER: VINCENTE LUQUE VIA TKO (KNEES AND PUNCHES) R2 4:56
ANDREWS PREDICTION: VICENTE LUQUE VIA TKO
Andrews: Brown almost made it, but got caught.
#3 JOANNE CALDERWOOD VS. #6 JENNIFER MAIA
Amazing win, she but that belt to good use! https://t.co/UloM7AFOwI
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) August 2, 2020
WINNER: JENNIFER MAIA VIA SUBMISSION (ARMBAR) R1 4:29
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JOANNE CALDERWOOD VIA UD
Andrews: If JoJo kept the fight on the feet she probably would have won, but maybe not as Maia looked in both areas. Great win for Jennifer.
MAIN EVENT
#8 DEREK BRUNSON VS. #9 EDMEN SHAHBAZYAN
STILL FORREAL. 😤 #UFCVegas5 pic.twitter.com/j8mLrErXQG
— UFC (@ufc) August 2, 2020
WINNER: DEREK BRUNSON VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R3 0:26
ANDREWS PREDICTION: EDMEN SHAHBAZYAN VIA TKO
Andrews: Good performance for Edmen, but Brunson overcame it with the experience of a veteran.
