Quotes from Derek Brunson

This sport is growing. It's about patience, rather than getting caught up in five in a row, want a title shot, main event. The goal is to put on a great fight and be smart.

I still wanna keep my aggressive ways and let my skills be on display.

In MMA, you can literally cheat over and over again, and it's OK. The media will back you.

I'm down to fight anybody that's going to move me up and help my career and get me closer to that title shot.

You have to be sharp, you have to be ready. You have to have guys that can push you in terms of these high-level fights or otherwise you're going to get out to these fights and your opponent has been pushed and they are ready to compete. If you have not been pushed and you're not ready, you can't just turn that switch on that night.

I came into MMA and I had a strong core and a lot flexibility. I could put myself in a lot of different positions when it comes to scrambling.

If you look at my career, it's been nothing but consistency.

I don't know if anybody can sign a contract to fight me and feel confident that they can beat me.

I've changed up my training over the years; I don't lift weights as much as I used to, so I'm built for the cardio now.

I've always been a clean fighter, always lifting weights.

When I grab guys in the clinch, it's very tough for them to get away and I'm pretty good with my Greco takedown.

No disrespect to Whittaker, I know I can beat him.

It's not an excuse, but I'd say I didn't perform well in the big fights because I wasn't prepared properly.

I don't think Anderson Silva is less of a fighter.

I grew up watching Anderson. He was my favorite fighter.

The UFC is where the best in the world fight at. You got some of the best fighters all across the world. It's the top organization.

I've been through Strikeforce, UFC now, but I never leave fights busted up.

Dream fights are just what fans are talking about. We need to see fights that people are actually supposed to see.

I like to be aggressive, I like to finish fights.

I want to have a big year. A big year, big fights, big contract, big money, big everything. 2017 is definitely my year.

I'm a firm believer that I'll make fights happen, get the fights done.

Jacare, he has power. We're two strong guys. He relies on being aggressive and coming forward. He looks to get the takedown. He's punching and he's shooting. I've never been taken down in a fight. Now, I'm not disregarding that I could be taken down, but I just know that I have a little bit more when it comes to giving up takedowns.

Anderson's been here the longest, he brought our sport to the forefront. He's been around, and yeah, I've always been a fan and I've always enjoyed his fighting style.

I've been around. I've fought in the big fights.