Like most of you, I’m sure, I watched this past weekend’s UFC 205 and was entertained by the fantastic fight card the UFC put together for their first event in New York in more than 20 years.

To be honest, the crowd support was everything I expected, knowing how long the fans in New York have been waiting for professional MMA to come to their backyard. I was already excited for our next event, WSOFNYC, on Dec. 31 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. But seeing just how passionate the MMA fans are in New York took my excitement to the next level. We’re going to put on an incredible event for them on New Year’s Eve.

Of course, the big story after UFC 205 was Conor McGregor’s history making performance, becoming the first man to simultaneously hold UFC belts in two different weight classes. I want to take nothing away from McGregor’s performance. He absolutely deserves all of the praise he’s receiving after defeating Eddie Alvarez in dominant fashion. That said, I believe what David Branch has accomplished in the World Series of Fighting decagon still surpasses what McGregor has accomplished thus far.

In combat sports, it’s widely said that in in order to truly call yourself a champion, you have to defend your belt. As spectacular as what McGregor has accomplished truly is, he has yet to defend either belt that he holds. Jose Aldo deserves a rematch with him at featherweight. Frankie Edgar has a case for a fight, as well. And that’s to say nothing about lightweight, where you can easily say he didn’t even deserve a title shot to begin with, and you have a couple of legitimate contenders already waiting with Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson.

Meanwhile, Branch left no question as to his legitimacy as a title contender in World Series of Fighting. He won a middleweight tournament to claim that title and then did the exact same at light heavyweight, as well. More importantly, he’s already defended both titles, proving his legitimacy as the champion of both weight classes. That is something truly spectacular, and Branch will put his 185-pound title back on the line at WSOFNYC, taking on top contender Louis Taylor.

Again, I don’t want to take anything away from McGregor’s accomplishments. He’s a fantastic athlete. But if you’re looking for someone who has already accomplished the same feat – and then some – you don’t have to look far. David Branch is your man.

Branch will look to defend his WSOF middleweight title for the third time time against against challenger Louis Taylor on Saturday, Dec. 31 at WSOFNYC from The Theater at Madison Square Garden live on NBCSN.

Source: WSOF