Derek Brunsondefeated Kevin Hollandvia unanimous decision
Derek Brunson:
I was a little disappointed I didn’t get the finish. My coach said, ‘Hey man, chill out. Enjoy it. You can’t finish all of them.’ I’m putting on great fights. I’m in a spot where the UFC is going to have to give me someone a little bit tougher, someone ranked a bit ahead. That’s what I want.
He kept talking, but I wasn’t going to talk back. I’m going to let you keep talking because you seem comfortable in these positions. I’m just going to keep chipping away and keep working. I took him down and was staying active. I kept my positions and let him keep talking.
I wanted to get the finish. He’s a guy who brings it. He’s fast and I expected that. I got the win. I’m happy with that.
I’m 37, but my goal as a martial artist is to keep getting better. Age ain’t nothing but a number. I just want to keep getting better and winning.
In order to reach my goals and earn a title shot, I had to win here. It was gritty, but I came out here and got the win.
2021, I want to have a big year. I want big fights. I just want to keep elevating myself. These training camps don’t get any easier, but I’m enjoying it and getting better. I want to aim for the stars.
Max Griffindefeated Song Kenanvia first-round KO
Max Griffin:
I watched his fights and he doesn’t like pressure. Alex Morono was able to back him up with pressure. He only does well when he’s moving people back. So I put the pressure on him. He has a big right hand, but I have a better right hand. I have a longer right hand. If he wants to engage, I have five inches of reach on him. I was going to make him pay. I hit him with that right and saw him (wobble), then zapped him.
He’s a a good guy, but he hasn’t fought anybody. All the guys he’s beat aren’t good.
I’ve fought everyone. I’ve fought Colby Covington, Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos, Mike Perry, Alex Oliveira and Zelim Imadaev—I’ve fought some killers. He wasn’t one. I proved it.
When I got the call that I was going to be the co-main event, I started crying. This New Year’s, I had a conversation with my team and we said I’m going to get a co-main event and then take it over. God made it happen. To be on ESPN, then be bumped to co-main and knock him out bad like that? It doesn’t get any better than this.
I want a main event this year. I want to be ranked this year. When I’m happy and smiling, I waste guys. I’m nasty. The authentic me is having fun and joking around, but focused. I have to flow. That’s what came out tonight.
Montserrat Conejodefeated Cheyanne Buysvia unanimous decision
Montserrat Conejo:
During my career I’ve gotten used to being the underdog. I have some haters that don’t like to see me win, but that fits me. It gives me more energy to prove what I’m able to do.
Whatever comes, I’m going to be waiting with open arms. I’m not the kind of person who is asking for things. I’m just the kind of person who likes to wait for things to happen. I’m just going to wait and see what’s next.
Adrian Yanezdefeated Gustavo Lopezvia third-round KO
Adrian Yanez:
I’m feeling really great. I’ve been drilling, sparring, grappling and rolling for a long time. To see this pay off has been really good. Everything went like how it was supposed to for this fight. I was able to back him up the way I wanted to. He opened up the shot for me and I just took it. I told my coach that if I saw the shot, I’m blasting it.
Every time I step into the Octagon, I want people to remember my name. I want people to tune in. It’s a big honor for me to entertain people. We get paid to fight. This is my dream and I get to entertain people at the same time.
I really didn’t want to overexpose myself. I didn’t go gung-ho at the beginning of the fight. I was being cool, calm and collected. It paid off for me. I wasn’t really thinking about the stoppage, but I knew I was going to get it. All of fight week I knew it was going to happen. I just had to pick my shots and be consistent. That’s been the biggest thing about this training camp—consistency. The work showed in the Octagon tonight.
I feel like I’m at the top of the division, but I’m the new kid on the block. Gustavo Lopez is a tough fighter. I respected his power. That’s why it took me a minute. Merab didn’t finish him and he’s in the top 15, but I got the finish. What does that say about me? That says big things about me. I still have to work. I still have a lot to prove to myself. My work’s not done yet. I have a long way to go.
I want to be at the top of the division. I want to keep fighting and stay active. I really do want that May card. I do want three or four more fights this year. I want finishes. My biggest thing is I want the performance bonuses, not the fight of the night.
Tai Tuivasadefeated Harry Hunsuckervia first-round TKO
Tai Tuivasa:
It feels awesome. It’s always good to win. It’s never good to lose, that’s for sure. I got in there and got it done.
It was just another body in front of me. I train hard and worry about myself. I don’t worry about my opponents or what they do. As long as I’m fit and ready, I feel I can beat anyone.
People call me a veteran in the UFC and I feel I’m just learning MMA, to be honest. I feel I’ve got many years to come. I feel I’ve got much more to learn. I think this is just the start. I’m pumped.
I come here to feed my son. That’s why I do this.
He just got beat, but that’s what I fighter is. A fighter is someone who steps in that late. Shoutout to him.
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