Derek Brunson is preparing to headline his first UFC event this weekend when he takes on Robert Whittaker at UFC Fight Night 101, but he already has a future opponent in mind and it’s an opponent he has faced before.
“I have unfinished business with Romero,” Brunson said to MMA Junkie. “That’s a guy who had some stuff come up that I didn’t like. I was pretty much dominating this guy. I asked myself after the fight – everybody said, ‘Oh, you need to work on the cardio a little bit.’ I’m like, ‘Uh, I don’t know if that’s the cardio.’ This guy popped for some PEDs. … It’s monitored now. Whether he says he knowingly took it or not, it doesn’t really matter. I’m looking forward to my rematch – I’ve been very adamant about it. If he has the title, then he – I’m looking for my rematch. When you have guys riding huge winning streaks, you need to be rewarded. When you have guys who lose fights, they need to win a fight or two before they get back to the title shot, even if they’re right there. I don’t think you can get it off one fight. I’ve got to handle my business this weekend. But after that, let the games begin.”
Romero defeated Brunson the first time at UFC Fight Night 35 in January 2014, Brunson has won five straight fights since the first meeting.
UFC Fight Night 101 takes place on Saturday, November 26 from the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia with Robert Whittaker and Derek Brunson headlining.
