David Branch (born September 26, 1981) is a mixed American martial artist currently competing in Middleweight's division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As a professional competitor since 2007, he has also competed for the World Series of Fighting, Bellator, Shark Fights, and Titan FC. Two-weight world champion, Branch is a former WSOF champion Middleweight and WSOF Light Heavyweight Champion. He is currently ranked # 9 Middleweight in the world according to Sherdog.
Video David Branch (fighter)
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Raised in the Bronx, New York, Branch was trained in Karate for two and a half years before transitioning into a Brazilian jiu-jitsu. She graduated from A. Philip Randolph Campus High School in New York, New York. The branch was trained for three years with Michael Casey (a black belt under Relson Gracie) in the Bronx, NY before he began training under the care of veteran MMA, Renzo Gracie at his personal training center. The branch gets its black belt after learning from Gracie for about ten years. In addition to mixed martial arts, the Branch also competed in (and won) the Brazilian jiu-jitsu title in the national competition.
Maps David Branch (fighter)
Mixed martial arts career
Initial career
The branch changed professionally in MMA in 2007 and compiled a 3-0 overall professional record before being signed by Bellator.
Bellator
Branch then signed a contract with Bellator and made his promotional debut at Bellator 11 against Dennis Olson. Branch won due to delivery (bare back choke) at 1:27 in the first half.
The branch then competed in the UCC organization and defeated John Troyer through a TKO (blow) at 4:26 in the second round.
Branch returned to Bellator at Bellator 15 and defeated Derrick Mehmen through submission (bare naked choke) at 0:26 in the second round.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In May 2010, Branch coach Renzo Gracie announced that the Branch had signed a four-on-one contract with UFC. The Branch made its debut under the UFC card 116 against Gerald Harris. The branch was knocked out with a slam in the third round, losing for the first time in his professional career.
The branch is expected to face Aaron Simpson on September 15, 2010 at UFC Fight Night 22, but Simpson is forced to get out of the fight with Staph infections. The branch even fought with Tomasz Drwal. The Branch won the battle through a unanimous decision, earning its first UFC victory.
The next branch beat Rich Attonito at The Ultimate Fighter: The GSP vs. team. The Koscheck Finale team through a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
The Branch is rumored to be facing Dan Miller on March 19, 2011 at UFC 128. However, according to Dan's manager, the fight was not offered. Miller finally faced a different opponent.
The next branch faces Rousimar Palhares on March 3, 2011 at UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann, replacing Alexandre Ferreira. The branch was defeated by Palhares when he knocked the kneebar early in the second half and was later freed from promotion.
Independent promotion
After his release from the UFC Branch was signed to fight Jeremy May at Shark Fights 15: VillaseÃÆ' Â ± or vs. Camozzi. He won through TKO in the third round.
The next branch faces against Strikeforce vet Dominique Steele at Pure MMA: The Beginning. He won by a unanimous decision.
In the ensuing battle, Branch took former UFC veteran Anthony Johnson on the Titan Fighting Championships 22. The initial bout must be done at 185 lbs, but both fighters came with overweight and the fight turned to £ 195 against the heavyweights. He lost by a unanimous decision.
World Series of Fighting
In the next fight of the Branch, he took another UFC veteran, Dustin Jacoby in World Series of Fighting 1. He won through a round decision.
The next branch faces against PRIDE Paulo Filho legend in the World Series of Fighting 2. He wins through a unanimous decision.
On May 16, 2013, WSOF announced a four-man tournament to crown the Champion of the Middle Class. The branch will be one of four men entering the tournament. Joining the Branch will be a former UFC vet Jesse Taylor, MFC Middleweight Champion Elvis Mutapcic, and former UFC veterinarian Danillo Villefort. The Branch took Danillo Villefort in the open round of the tournament at WSOF 5. He won the battle through a unanimous decision.
In the Middleweight Tournament Final, Branch faces Jesse Taylor in the World Series of Fighting 10 on 21 June 2014. He won the battle through D'arce choke in the first round to become the first World Series of Fighting Middleweight champion.
In defense of his first title, Branch faced fellow UFC veteran Yushin Okami at WSOF 15 on October 24, 2014. He won the battle through technical knockout in the fourth round.
On March 5, 2015, it was announced that the semi-final bout of the WSOF Heavyweight Championship Lightweight Tournament between Matt Hamill and Vinny MagalhÃÆ'Â £ s es was canceled and then turned into a battle between WSOF Middleweight Championship David Branch and Ronny Markes for the second semi-final bout of the WSOF Light tournament Heavyweight Championship at WSOF 20 on April 10, 2015. However, on the day of weighing, Markes was forced out of the fight due to dehydration and was replaced by newcomer promotions Jesse McElligott. He won the battle through technical handover in the second half.
The Branch defended the WSOF Light Heavyweight Championship against Vinny MagalhÃÆ' £ es on WSOF 33 on October 7, 2016 at the main event. He won the battle through a unanimous decision.
Return to Ultimate Fighting Championship
On February 15, 2017, the Branch announced that it had re-signed with UFC and hoped it would be scheduled to compete in the middle class division for promotion in May.
Branches face Krzysztof Jotko in return to UFC on May 13, 2017, at UFC 211. He won the fight through a separate decision.
Branch faces former UFC middle-classweight Luke Rockhold at UFC Fight Night 116 on September 16, 2017. He lost to Luke Rockhold with a knock out due to a 55 second strike left in the second half.
The Branch is scheduled to face Yoel Romero on 24 February 2018 at UFC on Fox 28. However, on January 12, 2018, it was announced that Robert Whittaker was withdrawn from the middle class title championship at UFC 221 and was replaced by Romero.
Branch faces Thiago Santos on 21 April 2018 at UFC Fight Night 128. He won the battle through knockout in the first half. This victory earned him a Performance of the Night bonus.
Personal life
The branch is a professional boxer brother, Sechew Powell and Jamelle Hamilton.
Championships and achievements
Ultimate Fighting Championship- Night Show (One time) vs. Thiago Santos
- WSOF Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
- One successful title defense
- WSOF Middleweight Championship (One time)
- Three successful title defenses
- Winner of WSOF Middleweight Championship Tournament
- Winner of Lightweight WSOF Lightweight Tournament
- The first Fighters to host the Championships in some heavyweights
- Tied 2 most wins in World Series of Fighting history (10) with Justin Gaethje
- Most Submissions win in World Series of Fighting history (4)
- Invincible in the World Series of Fighting (10-0)
Mixed mixed martial art
References
External links
- Official website
- Professional MMA record for Sherpa Dave Branch
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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