Jack 'The Joker' Hermansson will meet Derek Brunson on December 3rd according to Ariel Helwani. There is not yet a disclosed location.
Ever since Brunson told fans he only had 2 fights left in him, there was worry as to whom he would face for his farewell bout. Having retracted that statement and setting the new goal of overtaking Michael Bisping's record for most Middleweight wins in UFC history, he is firmly back on the path against contenders. This time he draws The Joker.
Jack Hermansson's (23-7, 10-5 UFC) last fight was a highly impressive unanimous decision win over 15th ranked Chris Curtis at UFC London. Curtis replaced Darren Till on short notice to face Jack in the co-main event. This fight was a rebound for Jack from his most recent loss to Sean Strickland. He showed improved striking and technique from beginning to end and put himself back into the win column.
Derek Brunson (23-8, 14-6 UFC) was on a 5-fight winning streak leading into his last fight and was knocking on the doors of title contention. He faced Jared Cannonier at UFC 271 and despite starting strong in the first, even scoring a knockdown and having multiple minutes of control time, was broken down and TKO'd via elbows in the 2nd. Knowing he was at the tail end of his career, Brunson revealed prior to the fight that he had plans to defeat Jared, fight for the title, and then retire.
Losing the fight altered those plans and he now chases a new goal and to achieve it, he must defeat Jack Hermansson.