Derek Brunson is an American professional mixed martial artist. He competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight Division.
The 39-year-old’s net worth is $500,000. Here you can follow Derek Brunson’s net worth, salary, earnings, career, MMA record, wife, and more.
About Derek Brunson
Derek Brunson was born on January 4, 1984, in Wilmington, North Carolina. He competes in UFC’s middleweight division.
Brunson was a three-time NCAA Division II All-American wrestler. He has a 23-8 MMA record, with 12 KOs.
Early Life
Derek Brunson attended John T. Hoggard High School. He was a competitive cheerleader in high school. He also wrestled under coach Dan Willis.
Brunson was a three-time NCAA Division II All-American wrestler for the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
After completing college, he became a mixed martial artist. Brunson is also a Black Belt holder in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
MMA Career
Brunson made his professional MMA debut in May 2010. He beat John Bryant via submission in his debut fight. The American went an impressive 9-0 by November 2011. Brunson lost his first fight against Kendall Grove via a split decision in June 2012.
Derek Brunson made his UFC debut in UFC 155 in December 2012, which he won by unanimous decision against Chris Leben.
As of writing, Brunson has a 23-8 MMA record, with 12 KOs. He went 5-1 in his last 6 fights, losing the most recent one. He was knocked out against Jared Cannonier in UFC 271 in February 2022.
Brunson is scheduled to face Dricus du Plessis on March 4, 2023, at UFC 285.
Derek Brunson’s Net Worth Details
American mixed martial artist Derek Brunson’s net worth is estimated to be $500,000 as of 2025. The 39-year-old competes in UFC’s middleweight division.
His prime sources of earnings are his fight purse, pay-per-view bonus, and sponsorship deals.
Salary
Brunson’s salary is not publicly disclosed, as fighters’ pay is not always made public. A player’s earnings depend on several factors, including the fighter’s contract, the event, the opponent, and the performance. Moreover, a fighter can earn sponsorships and bonuses.
The base pay for UFC fighters starts at $10,000 and can go up to $500,000 or more for the top fighters.
Personal Details
| Full Name | Derek Brunson |
| Date of Birth | January 4, 1984 |
| Birth Place | Wilmington, North Carolina, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Age | 39 |
| Height | 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) |
| Weight | 186 lb (84kg) |
| Division | Middleweight |
| Reach | 77 in |
| Promotion | UFC |
| MMA Record | 23-8, 12 KOs |
| Net Worth | $500,000 |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Spouse | Kyla Monk |
| @derekbrunson |
Wife
Middleweight veteran Derek Brunson is a married man. The MMA fighter’s wife is Kyla Monk.
However, no details are available about his wife. Brunson prefers to keep his personal life away from the spotlight. Brunson posted some photos of his wedding on Instagram.
MMA Record
| Total Fights | 31 |
| Wins | 23 |
| Draw | 0 |
| Lost | 8 |
| Wins by KO | 12 |
FAQs
Who is Derek Brunson?
Derek Brunson is an American professional mixed martial artist born on January 4, 1984, in Wilmington, North Carolina. He competes in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) Light Heavyweight division and is known for his long career in the UFC’s Middleweight division.
What is Derek Brunson’s fighting record?
As of February 2024, Derek Brunson’s professional MMA record is 24 wins and 9 losses. He has 11 wins by knockout, 5 by submission, and 8 by decision.
When did Derek Brunson make his UFC debut?
Brunson made his UFC debut on December 29, 2012, at UFC 155, winning a unanimous decision against Chris Leben.
What are some of Derek Brunson’s notable achievements?
Brunson holds several UFC records, including being tied for third-most wins in the UFC Middleweight division (14) and third-most finishes (9). He has also won Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses.
What is Derek Brunson’s fighting style?
Brunson is known for his wrestling background, having been a three-time NCAA Division II All-American wrestler. He combines his wrestling with striking skills, including boxing, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Where does Derek Brunson train?
Brunson trains at Brunson’s MMA and Fitness in Wilmington, North Carolina. He has also trained at Renzo Gracie’s academy in New York and Jackson’s MMA in New Mexico.
What is Derek Brunson’s educational background?
Brunson graduated from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke with a degree in Criminal Justice. During his college years, he was a competitive cheerleader and wrestler.
What are some of Derek Brunson’s significant fights?
Some of Brunson’s significant fights include victories over Darren Till, Kevin Holland, and Lyoto Machida. He has also faced top contenders like Israel Adesanya, Jared Cannonier, and Dricus Du Plessis.
What is Derek Brunson’s personal life like?
Brunson is a father of four children and has never smoked or drank alcohol. He is known for his dedication to his family and his role as a mentor and coach at his gym.
What are Derek Brunson’s plans in MMA?
After parting ways with the UFC in October 2023, Brunson signed a multi-fight deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). He made his PFL debut on November 24, 2023, winning unanimously against Ray Cooper III. He is set to compete in the PFL’s 2024 season as a light heavyweight.
