| David Branch | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1981-09-26)September 26, 1981 (age 44) Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.[1] |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb) |
| Division | Light Heavyweight (2015 — 2016) Middleweight (2008 — 2019) |
| Reach | 78 in (198 cm)[2] |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Team | Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Church Street Boxing |
| Rank | Black belt inBrazilian Jiu-JitsuunderRenzo Gracie[3] |
| Years active | 2007–2023 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 29 |
| Wins | 22 |
| By knockout | 6 |
| By submission | 7 |
| By decision | 9 |
| Losses | 7 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By submission | 3 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
David Branch (born September 26, 1981) is an American formermixed martial artist who competed as a middleweight. A professional competitor since 2007, he has fought for theUFC,World Series of Fighting,Bellator,Shark Fights, andTitan FC. Branch is the formerWSOF Light Heavyweight Champion andWSOF Middleweight Champion.
Branch was born inCharlotte, North Carolina, and raised in theBronx, New York. He trainedKarate for two and a half years before transitioning intoBrazilian jiu-jitsu. He graduated fromA. Philip Randolph Campus High School inNew York,New York.[4] 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, and further developing his striking withJason Strout (his first Head Coach) at Church Street Boxing Gym. 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.[5]
Branch turned professional in MMA in 2007 and compiled an overall professional record of 3–0 before being signed byBellator.
Branch then signed forBellator and made his promotional debut atBellator 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 atBellator 15 and defeatedDerrick Mehmen via submission (rear-naked choke) at 0:26 of the second round.
In May 2010, Branch's coachRenzo Gracie announced that Branch had signed a four-fight contract with the UFC.[6]Branch made his debut on the undercard ofUFC 116 againstGerald Harris. Branch was knocked out cold with a slam in the third round, losing for the first time in his professional career.[7]
Branch was expected to faceAaron Simpson on September 15, 2010, atUFC Fight Night 22, but Simpson was forced to pull out of the bout with astaph infection.[8] Branch instead foughtTomasz Drwal.[9] Branch won the fight via unanimous decision, earning his first UFC victory.
Branch next defeatedRich Attonito atThe Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck Finale via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, and 30–27).[10]
Branch was rumored to faceDan Miller on March 19, 2011, atUFC 128.[11] However, according to Dan's manager, the fight was not offered. Miller ended up facing a different opponent.
Branch next facedRousimar Palhares on March 3, 2011, atUFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann, replacingAlexandre Ferreira.[12] Branch was defeated by Palhares when he tapped out to a kneebar early in the second round[13] and was subsequently released from the promotion.[14]
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 againstStrikeforce vetDominique Steele at Pure MMA: The Beginning. He won via unanimous decision.
In his next fight Branch took on former UFC vetAnthony Johnson atTitan Fighting Championships 22.[15] 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.[16]
In Branch's next fight he took on another former UFC vetDustin Jacoby at the inauguralWorld Series of Fighting 1. He won via unanimous decision.[17]
Branch next faced off againstPRIDE legendPaulo Filho atWorld Series of Fighting 2. He won via unanimous decision.[18]
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 vetJesse Taylor, currentMFC Middleweight ChampionElvis Mutapčić, and former UFC vetDanillo Villefort.[19] Branch took on Danillo Villefort in the open round of the tournament atWSOF 5.[20] He won the fight via unanimous decision.
In the Middleweight Tournament Final, Branch facedJesse Taylor atWorld Series of Fighting 10 on June 21, 2014. He won the fight viaD'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 veteranYushin Okami atWSOF 15 on October 24, 2014.[21] 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 betweenMatt Hamill andVinny Magalhães was canceled and then changed to a fight betweenWSOF Middleweight Championship David Branch andRonny Markes for the second semifinal fight of the WSOF Light Heavyweight Championship tournament at theWSOF 20 on April 10, 2015.[22] 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.[23] He won the fight via technical submission in the second round.
Branch defended the WSOF Light Heavyweight Championship againstVinny Magalhães atWSOF 33 on October 7, 2016, in the main event.[24] He won the fight via unanimous decision.
On February 15, 2017, Branch announced that he had re-signed with the UFC and expects to be scheduled to compete in the middleweight division for the promotion by May.[25]
Branch facedKrzysztof Jotko in his return to the UFC on May 13, 2017, atUFC 211.[26] He won the fight via split decision.[27]
Branch faced former UFC middleweight championLuke Rockhold atUFC Fight Night 116 on September 16, 2017.[28] Despite winning the first round, he lost the fight by a tap out due to strikes with 55 seconds remaining in the second round.[29]
Branch was scheduled to faceYoel Romero on February 24, 2018, atUFC on Fox 28.[30] However, on January 12, 2018, it was announced thatRobert Whittaker was pulled from the middleweight title championship atUFC 221 and replaced by Romero.
Branch facedThiago Santos on April 21, 2018, atUFC Fight Night 128.[31] He won the fight via knockout in round one.[32] This win earned him thePerformance of the Night bonus.[33]
Branch was expected to faceRonaldo Souza on November 3, 2018, atUFC 230.[34] However on October 19, 2018, It was reported that Souza replaced injuredLuke Rockhold who was scheduled to fightChris Weidman in the event.[35] It was reported on October 19, 2018, thatJared Cannonier faced Branch instead.[36] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.[37]
Branch facedJack Hermansson on March 30, 2019, atUFC on ESPN 2.[38] He lost the fight via guillotine choke in the first round.[39]
Branch was scheduled to faceAndrew Sanchez on September 14, 2019, atUFC on ESPN+ 16.[40] However, it was reported that Branch was forced to pull from the event due to injury and he was replaced byMarvin Vettori.[41]
In September 2019, it was revealed that Branch received a 2 yearUSADA suspension. He tested positive forIpamorelin, a class ofPeptide hormones andGrowth Factors, detected in a urine sample he provided out-of-competition on May 24, 2019. Sanction was made retroactive to July 26, 2019, and he is eligible to fight again in North America on July 26, 2021.[42] Subsequently, Branch was officially released from the UFC on September 18, 2019.[43]
After the release from the UFC, Branch facedAlexander Shlemenko at Russian Cagefighting Championship 7 on December 14, 2019.[44] He lost the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the first round.
On January 25, 2022, it was announced that Branch had signed withONE Championship.[45] He was expected to make his promotional debut against Leandro Ataides atONE Championship: Full Circle on February 25, 2022,[46] but wasn't medically cleared to compete.[47]
Branch is the brother of professional boxers,Sechew Powell and Jamelle Hamilton.[48]
| 29 matches | 22 wins | 7 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 3 |
| By submission | 7 | 3 |
| By decision | 9 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 22–7 | Alexander Shlemenko | Submission (guillotine choke) | Russian Cagefighting Championship 7 | December 14, 2019 | 1 | 4:58 | Yekaterinburg, Russia | |
| Loss | 22–6 | Jack Hermansson | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Gaethje | March 30, 2019 | 1 | 0:49 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Loss | 22–5 | Jared Cannonier | TKO (punches) | UFC 230 | November 3, 2018 | 2 | 0:39 | New York City,New York, United States | |
| Win | 22–4 | Thiago Santos | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee | April 21, 2018 | 1 | 2:30 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 21–4 | Luke Rockhold | TKO (submission to punches) | UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Branch | September 16, 2017 | 2 | 4:05 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 21–3 | Krzysztof Jotko | Decision (split) | UFC 211 | May 13, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 20–3 | Louis Taylor | Submission (rear-naked choke) | WSOF 34 | December 31, 2016 | 5 | 2:00 | New York City, New York, United States | Return toMiddleweight; defended theWSOF Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 19–3 | Vinny Magalhães | Decision (unanimous) | WSOF 33 | October 7, 2016 | 5 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Defended theWSOF Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 18–3 | Clifford Starks | Decision (unanimous) | WSOF 30 | April 2, 2016 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Defended theWSOF 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 inauguralWSOF Light Heavyweight Championship. WSOF Light Heavyweight Championship Tournament Final. |
| Win | 16–3 | Jesse McElligott | Technical Submission (Von Flue choke) | WSOF 20 | April 10, 2015 | 2 | 1:28 | Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States | Light Heavyweight debut; 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 theWSOF 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 inauguralWSOF Middleweight Championship. WSOF Middleweight Championship Tournament Final. |
| 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 | Catchweight (195 lbs) bout; both fighters missed weight. |
| 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: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck 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 | Catchweight (190 lbs) bout. |
| 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 |