"I'm not in a rush to fight again, (so soon) you know? I got a little bit of money to pay the bills and train, now, I'm about to go put all my time and effort. I'm back and motivated like when I was 9-0 and the rest of the middleweight division better watch out, that's all I'm saying."

Derek Brunson made a successful Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) debut at UFC 155, defeating Chris Leben in Las Vegas, Nevada, this past weekend (Dec. 29, 2012). Aside from spoiling "The Crippler's" long-awaited return to the Octagon, Brunson ended his two-fight skid after beginning his mixed martial arts (MMA) career 9-0. Despite the MGM Grand Garden Arena being filled with boo birds from restless fans who wanted to see a quicker pace from the two exhausted fighters, Brunson said during his post-fight interview he is still happy with his performance, considering the bout was taken on eight days notice. Though the fight wasn't exactly in contention for "Fight of the Night," Brunson wants fans to know he tried his best and he will do better in the future, which is why he is in no hurry to get right back into the Octagon, preferring to sharpen his skills and work on his cardio, which Brunson admits was ‘not there' during the fight. Anyone expect a more thrilling outing from Derek in his next fight inside the Octagon with more notice? How much noise can he make in the UFC's talent-rich 185-pound division?