David Branch (fighter)
| David Branch | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 26, 1981 (age 34) Bronx, New York, United States |
| Residence | Bronx, New York, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st), = 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st) |
| Division | Middleweight Light heavyweight |
| Reach | 76 in (193 cm) |
| Fighting out of | Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Team | Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu |
| Rank | Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 22 |
| Wins | 19 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By submission | 6 |
| By decision | 8 |
| Losses | 3 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
David Branch (born September 26, 1981) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the World Series of Fighting's middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. He the first and current holder of both the WSOF Middleweight Championship and WSOF Light Heavyweight Championship. He is currently ranked as the #9 Middleweight in the world according to Sherdog.[1]
Background
Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Branch trained in Karate for two and a half years before transitioning into Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He graduated from A. Philip Randolph Campus High School in NYC, New York.[2] Branch trained for three years with Michael Casey (black belt under Relson Gracie) in the Bronx, NY before he began training under the tutelage of MMA veteran, Renzo Gracie at his personal training center. Branch gained his black belt after learning from Gracie for about ten years. In addition to mixed martial arts, Branch has also competed in (and won) Brazilian jiu-jitsu titles in nationwide competitions.[3]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Branch turned professional in MMA in 2007 and compiled an overall professional record of 3-0 before being signed by Bellator.
Bellator
Branch then signed for Bellator and made his promotional debut at Bellator 11 against Dennis Olson. Branch was victorious due to submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:27 of the first round.
Branch then competed in the UCC organization and defeated John Troyer via TKO (punches) at 4:26 of the second round.
Branch returned to Bellator at Bellator 15 and defeated Derrick Mehmen via submission (rear-naked choke) at 0:26 of the second round.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In May 2010, Branch's coach Renzo Gracie announced that Branch had signed a four-fight contract with the UFC.[4] Branch made his debut on the undercard of UFC 116 against Gerald Harris. Branch was knocked out cold with a slam in the third round, losing for the first time in his professional career.[5]
Branch was expected to face Aaron Simpson on September 15, 2010 at UFC Fight Night 22, but Simpson was forced to pull out of the bout with a staph infection.[6] Branch instead fought Tomasz Drwal.[7] Branch won the fight via unanimous decision, earning his first UFC victory.
Branch next defeated Rich Attonito at The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck Finale via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27).[8]
Branch was rumored to face Dan Miller on March 19, 2011 at UFC 128.[9] However, according to Dan's manager, the fight was not offered. Miller ended up facing a different opponent.
Branch next faced Rousimar Palhares on March 3, 2011 at UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann, replacing Alexandre Ferreira.[10] Branch was defeated by Palhares when he tapped out to a kneebar early in the second round[11] and was subsequently released from the promotion.[12]
Independent promotions
Following his release from the UFC Branch signed to fight Jeremy May at Shark Fights 15: Villaseñor vs Camozzi. He won via TKO in the third round.
Branch next faced of against Strikeforce vet Dominique Steele at Pure MMA: The Beginning. He won via unanimous decision.
In his next fight Branch took on former UFC vet Anthony Johnson at Titan Fighting Championships 22.[13] The bout was originally supposed to be fought at 185lbs, but both fighters came in overweight and the bout was changed to 195 lb catchweight fight. He lost via unanimous decision.[14]
World Series of Fighting
In Branch's next fight he took on another former UFC vet Dustin Jacoby at the inaugural World Series of Fighting 1. He won via unanimous decision.[15]
Branch next faced off against PRIDE legend Paulo Filho at World Series of Fighting 2. He won via unanimous decision.[16]
On May 16, 2013, WSOF announced a four-man tournament to crown an Inaugural Middleweight Champion. Branch will be one of the four men entering this tournament. Joining Branch will be former UFC vet Jesse Taylor, current MFC Middleweight Champion Elvis Mutapcic, and former UFC vet Danillo Villefort.[17] Branch took on Danillo Villefort in the open round of the tournament at WSOF 5.[18] He won the fight via unanimous decision.
In the Middleweight Tournament Final, Branch faced Jesse Taylor at World Series of Fighting 10 on June 21, 2014. He won the fight via D'arce choke submission in the first round to become the inaugural World Series of Fighting Middleweight champion.
In his first title defense, Branch faced fellow UFC veteran Yushin Okami at WSOF 15 on October 24, 2014.[19] He won the fight via technical knockout in the fourth round.
On March 5, 2015, it was announced that a semifinal fight of the WSOF Light Heavyweight Championship Tournament between Matt Hamill and Vinny Magalhães was canceled and then changed to a fight between WSOF Middleweight Championship David Branch and Ronny Markes for the second semifinal fight of the WSOF Light Heavyweight Championship tournament at the WSOF 20 on April 10, 2015.[20] However, on the day of the weigh-in, Markes was forced out of the bout due to dehydration and was replaced by promotional newcomer Jesse McElligott.[21] He won the fight via technical submission in the second round.
Branch defended the WSOF Light Heavyweight Championship against Vinny Magalhães at WSOF 33 on October 7, 2016 in the main event.[22] He won the fight via unanimous decision to retain the WSOF Light Heavyweight Championship.
Personal life
Branch is the brother of professional boxers, Sechew Powell and Jamelle Hamilton.[23]
Championships and accomplishments
- World Series of Fighting
- WSOF Light Heavyweight Championship (One time, current)
- One successful title defense
- WSOF Middleweight Championship (One time, current)
- Two successful title defenses
- WSOF Middleweight Championship Tournament Winner
- WSOF Light Heavyweight Championship Tournament Winner
- First fighter to hold Championships in multiple weight classes
Mixed martial arts record
| 22 matches | 19 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 1 |
| By submission | 6 | 1 |
| By decision | 8 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 19–3 | Vinny Magalhães | Decision (unanimous) | WSOF 33 | October 7, 2016 | 5 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Defended the WSOF Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 18–3 | Clifford Starks | Decision (unanimous) | WSOF 30 | April 2, 2016 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Defended the WSOF Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 17–3 | Teddy Holder | Submission (rear-naked choke) | WSOF 23 | September 18, 2015 | 1 | 2:21 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | Won the inaugural WSOF Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 16–3 | Jesse McElligott | Technical Submission (Von Flue choke) | WSOF 20 | April 10, 2015 | 2 | 1:28 | Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States | WSOF Light Heavyweight Championship Tournament Semifinal. |
| Win | 15–3 | Yushin Okami | TKO (punches) | WSOF 15 | November 15, 2014 | 4 | 3:39 | Tampa, Florida, United States | Defended the WSOF Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 14–3 | Jesse Taylor | Submission (D'Arce choke) | WSOF 10 | June 21, 2014 | 1 | 1:41 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Won the inaugural WSOF Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 13–3 | Danillo Villefort | Decision (unanimous) | WSOF 5 | September 14, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | WSOF Middleweight Championship Tournament Semifinal. |
| Win | 12–3 | Paulo Filho | Decision (unanimous) | WSOF 2 | March 23, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 11–3 | Dustin Jacoby | Decision (unanimous) | WSOF 1 | November 3, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 10–3 | Anthony Johnson | Decision (unanimous) | Titan FC 22 | May 25, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | 195 lb Catchweight. |
| Win | 10–2 | Dominique Steele | Decision (unanimous) | Pure MMA: The Beginning | January 22, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Plains, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 9–2 | Jeremy May | TKO (punches) | Shark Fights 15: Villaseñor vs Camozzi | May 27, 2011 | 3 | 3:19 | Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States | |
| Loss | 8–2 | Rousimar Palhares | Submission (kneebar) | UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann | March 3, 2011 | 2 | 1:44 | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Rich Attonito | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale | December 4, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 7–1 | Tomasz Drwal | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Marquardt vs. Palhares | September 15, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Austin, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 6–1 | Gerald Harris | KO (slam) | UFC 116 | July 3, 2010 | 3 | 2:35 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | Derrick Mehmen | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 15 | April 22, 2010 | 2 | 0:26 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | 190 lb Catchweight. |
| Win | 5–0 | John Troyer | TKO (punches) | UCC 1: Merciless | March 19, 2010 | 2 | 4:26 | Jersey City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Dennis Olson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 11 | June 12, 2009 | 1 | 2:27 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Robby Huston | Submission (rear-naked choke) | DCF: Battle at the Nation's Capital | December 13, 2008 | 2 | 2:41 | Washington D.C., United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Alex Aquino | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Ring of Combat 19 | May 9, 2008 | 1 | 3:29 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Craig Simone | TKO (punches) | Cage Fights 6 | September 29, 2007 | 1 | 1:44 | Fort Myers, Florida, United States |
References
- ^ "Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings - Middleweights".
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011116144940&sk=about
- ^ http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/10/06/david-branch-ready-to-take-out-okami/
- ^ "Renzo Gracie: UFC signs Bellator middleweight David Branch to four-fight deal". MMAjunkie.com. 2010-05-22. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
- ^ "UFC 116 preliminary card recap: Brendan Schaub, Gerald Harris dazzle in KO wins". mmajunkie.com. July 4, 2010.
- ^ "Aaron Simpson hospitalized after surgery". mmaweekly.com. August 6, 2010.
- ^ "Tomasz Drwal vs. David Branch expected at UFC Fight Night 22". mmajunkie.com. August 9, 2010.
- ^ "David Branch vs. Rich Attonito set for The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
- ^ "Dan Miller vs. David Branch in the works for UFC 128". TrueFighting.com.com. 2010-12-30.
- ^ "David Branch Replaces Ferreira, Faces Palhares At UFC on Versus 3". heavy.com. January 19, 2011.
- ^ http://www.sbnation.com/mma/2011/3/3/2028359/ufc-on-versus-3-results-rousimar-palhares-kneebars-dave-branch
- ^ "Middleweight David Branch Latest Fighter Released by the UFC". mmaweekly.com. March 23, 2011.
- ^ Damon Martin (March 23, 2012). "Anthony Johnson vs. David Branch Set as Main Event for Titan Fighting 22". MMAWeekly.com.
- ^ Dann Stupp (May 26, 2012). "Anthony Johnson tops David Branch in Titan Fighting 22 headliner". MMAJunkie.com.
- ^ "WSOF 1 - Arlovski vs. Cole Results". Sherdog.com. November 3, 2012.
- ^ "WSOF 2 - Arlovski vs. Johnson Results". Sherdog.com. March 23, 2013.
- ^ MMAjunkie.com Staff (May 16, 2013). "WSOF sets four-man middleweight tourney with Taylor, Mutapcic, Branch, Villefort". MMAJunkie.com.
- ^ "World Series of Fighting 5 to host opening round of middleweight tournament".
- ^ "David Branch defends middleweight belt vs. Yushin Okami at WSOF 15". mmajunkie.com. July 29, 2014. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
- ^ "David Branch and Ronny Markes Light Heavyweight Tilt to Headline WSOF 20".
- ^ MMAjunkie Staff (2015-04-09). "Ronny Markes out of WSOF 20 headliner; Dave Branch now meets Jesse McElligott". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-04-10.
- ^ "Shawn Jordan's WSOF debut plus two other bouts round out WSOF 33".
- ^ "Straight Outta Brownsville - Introducing David Branch". UFC.com. June 29, 2010.
