Brunson to fight Kelly at UFC Auckland
Derek Brunson is headed to New Zealand in search of a much needed win.
The 33-year-old will look to snap a two-fight skid when he meets Dan Kelly at UFC Fight Night 110 on June 11 at the Vector Arena in Auckland, the promotion confirmed on Wednesday's broadcast of "UFC Tonight."
After scoring four straight first-round knockouts, Brunson saw his streak halted in identical fashion at UFC Fight Night 101 last November, falling to surging contender Robert Whittaker before the second-round horn. In his last outing the North Carolina native was handed the short end of a controversial decision opposite Anderson Silva at UFC 208. He sits in the No. 9 spot in the middleweight rankings.
The consummate overachiever, Kelly's career has gone in the opposite direction. The 39-year-old judoka has bested each of his last four opponents, and most recently soured Rashad Evans' divisional debut by split decision at UFC 209 earlier this month. The four-time Olympian takes a promotional slate of 6-1 into his date with Brunson.
The June card will be headlined by a heavyweight clash between Derrick Lewis and Mark Hunt.