MIAMI – Bryan Battle made quick work of his opponent in his first fight since his unexpected UFC release.
Battle, winner of the “The Ultimate Fighter 29,” ran through Derik de Freitas at DBX 3, scoring a TKO victory just 56 seconds into their middleweight dirty boxing match. Much like he showed in the UFC, Battle walked down de Freitas and knocked him down twice before getting the win.
Below, you can check out Battle’s finish:
Battle was recently cut from the UFC after he missed weight for the second consecutive time at UFC 319. Battle couldn’t make weight for a welterweight fight with Randy Brown last December, which forced him to move up to middleweight. Battle also failed to make the 186-pound limit at UFC 319 weigh-ins, registering 190. As a result, his fight with Nursulton Ruziboev was subsequently canceled, leading to his release from the UFC.
“The only person that could stop me is me. I’m done getting in my own way,” Battle said in his post-fight interview in the ring.
Battle, 30, won “The Ultimate Fighter 29” reality series in 2021. In total, he officially made nine UFC appearances, going 7-1 with one no contest. He earned three Performance of the Night bonuses from the UFC. His release came to a surprise to many, given his winning record and success in the octagon.
