Derek Brunson took care of business Saturday afternoon, choking out Darren Till and keeping himself in the middleweight title shot conversation at UFC Vegas 36.
Despite Till’s best efforts to keep the fight standing, Brunson (23-7-0) landed takedowns in all three rounds taking the starch out of Till (18-4-1). In the third round Till, found some striking success only to be taken down again and set up for the rear-naked choke.
On standby for the winner of Adesanya vs Whittaker 2? 🤔 #UFCVegas36 pic.twitter.com/hZEnu0iO4y
— UFC (@ufc) September 4, 2021
Brunson recorded his fifth consecutive win and called out champion Israel Adesanya in the post-fight interview.
Swinging for the fences from beginning to end! 👊
💰 FOTN honors go out to @MeatballMolly vs @Fire_Fist_Kim. #UFCVegas36
[ B2YB: @ToyoTires ] pic.twitter.com/P0v4FNVEEg
— UFC (@ufc) September 4, 2021
Molly McCann and Jim Yeon Kim secured Fight of the Night while Paddy Pimblett and Tom Aspinall earned performances of the night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
Two names you won't forget! 🙌@PaddyTheBaddy & Aspinall are taking some extra cash back to England. 💰
[ B2YB: @P3Protein ] pic.twitter.com/6a8iSJnPZK
— UFC (@ufc) September 4, 2021
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
Im case you missed the prelims:
MARC-ANDRE BARRIAULT DEF. DALCHA LUNGIAMBULA VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
JULIAN EROSA DEF. CHARLES JOURDIAN VIA SUBMISSION (D’ARCE CHOKE) R3 2:56
JACK SHORE DEF. LIUDVIK SHOLINIAN VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
MOLLY MCANN DEF. JIM YEON KIM VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
MAIN CARDÂ
PADDY PIMBLETT VS. LUIGI VENDRAMINÂ
PADDY THE BADDY
PADDY THE BADDY
PADDY THE BADDY
PADDY THE BADDY
PADDY THE BADDY
PADDY THE BADDY pic.twitter.com/4FWiC0QIME— UFC (@ufc) September 4, 2021
WINNER: PADDY PIMBLETT VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R1 4:25
ANDREWS PREDICTION: PADDY PIMBLETT VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Paddy wasn’t nervous at all. The UFC hype begins now.
MODESTAS BUKAUSKAS VS. KHALIL ROUNTREE JR.Â
Heavy pressure in the last seconds of RD 1 👀 #UFCVegas36 pic.twitter.com/GLZrDCS3l4
— UFC (@ufc) September 4, 2021
WINNER: KHALIL ROUNTREE JR. VIA TKO (LEGKICKS) R2 2:30
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MODESTAS BUKAUSKAS VIA TKO
Andrews: Just when I think Rountree is washed, he comes up big with an impressive performance.
ALEX MORONO VS. DAVID ZAWADA
The Great White! 🦈@AlexMoronoMMA adds another win to the record. #UFCVegas36 pic.twitter.com/ZbQHqW51Ur
— UFC (@ufc) September 4, 2021
WINNER: ALEX MORONO VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ALEX MORONO VIA UDÂ
Andrews:Â Morono came in on short notice and took care of business.
#13 TOM ASPINALL VS. #14 SERGEY SPIVAK
OHHHHH!
Tom Aspinall JUST DID THAT 😳 #UFCVegas36 pic.twitter.com/60i3MrTXUo
— UFC (@ufc) September 4, 2021
WINNER: TOM ASPINALL VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R1 2:30
ANDREWS PREDICTION: TOM ASPINALL VIA TKO
Andrews: Tom is like The Terminator. Just takes the guy out and goes on his way.
MAIN EVENT
#4 DEREK BRUNSON VS. #7 DARREN TILLÂ
DOMINATION 😳
💢 @DerekBrunson calls for a rematch with the champ after submitting Till. #UFCVegas36 pic.twitter.com/0q8dzG2z2u
— UFC (@ufc) September 4, 2021
WINNER: DEREK BRUNSON VIA SUBMISSION (RNC) R2 2:13
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DEREK BRUNSON VIA UD
Andrews: Brunson put Till on the ground and worked him with his wrestling and set him up with the choke. Good smart win and another example of controlled aggression.
