Josh Thomson explains where Dricus du Plessis may struggle against Derek Brunson

Derek Brunson is scheduled to face Dricus du Plessis at UFC 285 after over a year away from the octagon. Former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson shared why he believes the No.5-ranked middleweight will get back into the win column.

Speaking on his WEIGHING IN podcast, the mixed martial arts analyst stated:

"If Derek Brunson can get the fight down early, which he will, and doesn't take any big shots in the first round, it's just going to become easier and easier for him to get this fight down. And as he dominates one round, he'll dominate the second, but if you're du Plessis, you need to make him work in that second round because in the third round, Derek Brunson has been shown to get tired."

Thomson continued:

"He uses a lot of strength to get the fight to the ground. He's good on top. He tries to stay busy so he doesn't get stood up, but he's a sprinter. He's somebody that when that third round hits, he's not the same fighter that he was in the first and second. I think Brunson should dominate this fight though."

While Brunson lost his most recent bout against No.3-ranked middleweight Jared Cannonier, he had won his previous five fights, with each ending in the third round or later. A year and a half will have passed since his last victory when the soon-to-be 39-year-old enters the octagon at UFC 285.

Watch Josh Thomson discuss Derek Brunson and Dricus du Plessis below (starting at the 1:23:50 mark):

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Derek Brunson lays out his plans for 2023

Derek Brunson had just one fight in 2022, as he lost to Jared Cannonier via a second-round KO at UFC 271. The No.5-ranked middleweight, who turns 39 in early January, recently shared that, despite his age, he will look to enter the octagon four times this year, stating:

"4 fights in 2023 LFG . Where should we start ! 😤👱🏾‍♂️"

Brunson further shared that he doesn't plan on losing any of his four fights in the year. The No.5-ranked middleweight has not had four fights in one calendar year since 2011 when he was 27 years old. With his first fight of the year scheduled for UFC 285 in March, he will have nine months to take three more bouts if he sets out to accomplish his stated goal.

Check out his tweets below: