Derek Brunson Targeted for July Return to Strikeforce

Following the disappointment surrounding a canceled fight in March, Strikeforce middleweight Derek Brunson cannot wait to get back in action.

Brunson was removed from his scheduled fight against Ronald ‘Jacare’ Souza after the Ohio Athletic Commission found the North Carolina fighter’s eyes were not in line with their medical requirements to allow him to compete in the state.

After his fight was canceled, Brunson immediately scheduled and had LASIK surgery to repair the issues he had with his eye sight, but now healthy and ready to go again, he has a clear vision of a return date.

“He’s definitely going to be fighting in July on the next (Strikeforce) card. Sean Shelby talked to me, told me he’s going to find him an opponent for the Strikeforce card in July,” Brunson’s manager Malki Kawa told MMAWeekly Radio recently.

While the next Strikeforce card has not been officially scheduled, the current line-up has been for the promotion to hold a show every two months. With the next Strikeforce event set for May 19, a show in July only makes sense at this point.

No opponents have been rumored for Brunson’s return to action, but whoever it is, he’s ready to get back and make the most of 2012.

“Derek Brunson is ready to fight anyone, any day, any time,” said Kawa. “When Derek Brunson calls you out on Twitter and starts talking smack to you, don’t take it personal, he just wants a fight and you’re just a guy that’s in his division and probably needs a fight as well so what the hell, let’s fight.”

Down time on any fighter is tough both mentally and financially, so Brunson could get the chance to return to action before his scheduled date in Strikeforce if the right offer comes along.

“He gave me permission to see if I can find him something locally, on a regional level, so we’re going to work to see if we can find Derek a fight in the interim so we can keep him busy. That’s one thing I like about Derek he likes to stay busy,” Kawa stated.

There’s been no word yet if Brunson will actually end up taking a fight in the interim or if he will wait until the July Strikeforce card to return.

Either way, Brunson is looking to get back in the swing of things and make a charge towards the Strikeforce middleweight title this year.

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