David Branch has rattled off six consecutive victories. | Photo:
Keith Mills/Sherdog.com
Sometimes doing a favor for someone can pay big dividends. For David Branch, it could result in his becoming the World Series of Fighting’s first two-division champion.
Already the organization’s titleholder at 185 pounds, Branch will take on Teddy Holder for the inaugural WSOF light heavyweight crown in the World Series of Fighting 23 co-main event on Friday at the Comerica Theatre in Phoenix. The opportunistic Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt stepped into a void left by others.
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Branch took on Jesse McElligott in a tournament semifinal at WSOF 20 in April and recorded a second-round technical submission via shoulder choke. That propelled him into the final against Holder and gave him a chance to make history.
“This hasn’t been done, and I think that will separate me from a
lot of fighters out there,” said Branch, who trains out of the
Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu camp. “I’m already a world champion. I’m
going for greatness. Winning a title in two weight classes at the
same time would mean everything to me, and that’s why I’m training
as hard as I am and I’m as focused as I am. There’s a lot on the
line for me. When it’s all said and done, to be able to say I was a
world champion in two weight classes at the same time, that would
mean a lot.”
“
a title in two weight classes at
the same time would mean
everything to me, and that’s why
I’m training as hard as I am and
I’m as focused as I am.
”
While Branch has experience in WSOF, the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Bellator MMA, Holder comes into the tournament final as a relative unknown. A last-minute substitute, Holder knocked out favored veteran Thiago Silva in the first round of their semifinal bout at WSOF 19 in March. Hailing from Bartlett, Tenn., Holder comes into the bout against Branch on the strength of eight straight wins and has first-round finishes in all nine of his pro victories, with seven knockouts and two submissions.
“He is a tough guy who’s strong,” said the 33-year-old Branch, who has won eight of his nine fights since being cut loose by the UFC in 2011. “He’s mentally tough. He took a fight on short notice and knocked out a guy who’s a legend in the sport in [Silva]. He shocked the world and came out on top. Because of that, he’s dangerous and coming in confident; but I’ve trained in all areas to be ready for him. I can’t wait for the fight to get here. I’m more than ready for him.”
Branch, who sports 10 finishes among his 16 career wins, claims that making the transition to 205 pounds has not been all that difficult for him.
“Camp is going good for me,” he said. “I’ve been really dedicated and focused on this upcoming fight. Every fight is biggest fight of my life, and I’m treating this one that way, as well. I’m going to get the job done, and I’ve been doing the preparation to get the job done. I always work hard, and there’s a lot of sacrifice and dedication. I feel like I train harder and smarter in each camp, but maybe that’s just me being harder on myself.
“There hasn’t been a difference in camp [with the change in weight class],” Branch added. “I just get to eat a little bit more. I cut from 245 to 205 [pounds] for my last fight, but with this one, I didn’t walk around as heavy before I started camp. With my last fight, I was coming off surgery, so I wasn’t lean. Usually my walk-around weight is about 205. Now I’m more focused on speed.”
While Branch does not intend to look past the once-beaten Holder, he stated that he has no plans to surrender either title if he emerges as a champion in two divisions.
“I still have the task at hand,” Branch said. “I’m not going to look ahead, but if I do win the title, I’m not going to relinquish anything. I’m going to defend my titles in both weight classes.”
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