Brunson on Holland talking: I wanted to punch his mouth

#7 ranked UFC middleweight Derek Brunson beat #10 Kevin Holland soundly in the main event of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 21, setting a personal record of six takedowns and 15:28 of ground control time. Brunson was as well taken down for the first time in his UFC career, and in addition survived a curious stream of what felt like constant talking – talking before the fight, during the fight, between rounds, and when it was all over.

I wanted to knock him out, but every win can’t be pretty, said Brunson post-fight to commentator Paul Felder. I been putting work in this division for a while, I wasn’t too excited about this match up. I wanted a top five, they probably didn’t like my performance, but let’s see what happens. [Paulo] Costa, what’s up, man? That’s a fight I’d like to have.

And one point in the fight with Brunson in top control and raining down elbows, Holland had a quick question.

Why are you holding my mouth like you don’t want me to talk, quipped Holland.

Brunson still doesn’t understand it. Likely no one does.

I was so busy trying to punch him in the face in between him talking that I didn’t pick up on it too much when he was talking, said Brunson I just really wanted to hit him in the mouth while he was talking.

Between rounds, Holland asked lightweight GOAT Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was seated cageside, for advice. Maybe he heard something useful, as the next round, he wobbled Brunson.

I wasn’t really too hurt, he hit me, said Brunson. He hit me, I had his leg in the air, he kept trying to hit me with punches, I was a little careless there, but I got it back down.

You gotta do better than that, work to get out of positions – you’re talking all the time. I wanted to talk back, but I was like, ‘This guy is stupid. Just let him keep doing his thing’. I didn’t wanna beak his rhythm.

I think he’ll learn he’s gotta be a little more focussed on the fight. He wants to entertain between rounds. This is the fight game, it’s good to have fun but you should be a little more focussed, because I was looking for my moments to get in some punches and put him out of there.

What do you think UG, will Holland learn?