Robert Whittaker got the attention of the top of the middleweight division on Saturday when he finished eighth-ranked Derek Brunson in the first round of the UFC Fight Night 101 main event in Melbourne, Australia.
Brunson, a 3-time Division II All-American wrestler, quickly looked to get the fight to the ground, but Whittaker defended the takedown attempt and landed an uppercut as the fighters separated. Brunson then went berserk. He rushed forward with a flurry of punches, abandoning all defense.
He landed shots and backed Whittaker up. For a moment, Brunson was overwhelming Whittaker with constant pressure. That quickly changed when Brunson walked into a left hand that staggered him. Whittaker looked for the finish and Brunson did his best to fire back. Just as it looked as if Brunson had recovered, Whittaker delivered a high kick that landed flush on the jaw of the 32-year-old. Brunson sank to the canvas and Whittaker ended it with a series of left hands.
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