Top UFC middleweight's funny take on Edson Barboza's hardly recognizable mural in Brazil 

Roy Jones Jr. [Left] Edson Barboza next to his mural [Right] [Images courtesy: @RealRoyJonesJr and @mmamania (Twitter)
Roy Jones Jr. (Left); Edson Barboza next to his mural (Right) [Images courtesy: @RealRoyJonesJr and @mmamania on Twitter]

UFC middleweight Derek Brunson is no stranger to poking fun at other fighters. Ever since Brunson went blonde, the fighter has taken on this hilarious persona. 'Blonde Brunson' packs a comedic punch and doesn't take himself too seriously, much like his fellow UFC middleweight Paulo Costa.

The No.5-ranked middleweight recently poked fun at featherweight fighter Edson Barboza after the latter posted a picture of himself next to a mural in his honor. The mural in question looks nothing like the Brazilian Muay Thai kickboxer.

Here's the post by MMA Mania shared by Brunson:

Brunson's caption referred to the legendary boxer Roy Jones Jr. and read:

"That's Roy Jones [Jr.]. Change my mind."

Derek Brunson last fought the No.3-ranked middleweight Jared Cannonier. Brunson was knocked out clean at UFC 271 after 'The Killa Gorilla' brutally elbowed the No.5-ranked middleweight on the ground.

Brunson has only lost to big names in the middleweight division, like the aforementioned Cannonier, Israel Adesanya, and Robert Whittaker. Derek Brunson has a promotional record of 13-6 and an overall MMA record of 23-8.


'Blonde Brunson' was on a tear before Jared Cannonier put the brakes on his win streak at UFC 271

When Brunson went blonde, it seemed like he went 'Super Saiyan'. The term is from the popular Dragon-Ball anime franchise, where Saiyans' power-up or transformation turns their hair blonde.

When Brunson matched up with Edmen Shahbazyan, many had written off the wrestling-heavy fighter as a journeyman for future champions. However, on fight day, it seemed like Derek Brunson broke 'The Golden Boy' as the latter wasn't ready for Brunson's superior wrestling. Brunson eventually found a TKO finish in the third round.

Derek Brunson [Left] 'Blonde Brunson' [Right] [Images courtesy: @derekbrunson (Instagram)]
Derek Brunson [Left] 'Blonde Brunson' [Right] [Images courtesy: @derekbrunson (Instagram)]

In his next fight, Brunson faced Kevin Holland, where he used his wrestling to dominate the striking-heavy 'Trailblazer'. Brunson broke the win streaks of both Shahbazyan and Holland and sent them on a losing streak (0-3 for Shahbazyan and 0-2 [1 NC] for Holland).

In his fight with Darren Till at UFC Fight Night 191, Brunson took advantage of Till's lack of grappling prowess to dominate him and found the rear-naked choke submission in the third round. Till lost to Dricus du Plessis in his very next fight at UFC 282.

The fighter who put an end to the legend of 'Blonde Brunson' was Jared 'The Killa Gorilla' Cannonier, who put the brakes on the No.5-ranked middleweight's five-fight win streak.

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