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David Branch vs. Jesse Taylor
WSOF 10 “Branch vs. Taylor”
July 21 | Las Vegas
Jesse Denis: For a couple of years, David Branch was "the guy that Gerald Harris slammed unconscious in the UFC." But, the Brooklyn, N.Y. native has done nothing but exceed expectations since landing in World Series of Fighting. At World Series of Fighting 10, he had his breakout moment, submitting fellow UFC veteran Jesse Taylor to win the vacant WSOF middleweight title in just under two minutes.

He found himself in a guillotine, which he was able to fight off with relative ease. Taylor would then attempt to escape guard and scramble to get to his feet, but was quickly slapped with a Brabo choke. The Renzo Gracie product would then roll “JT Money” onto his back, where Taylor would go out on his shield, just 1:41 into their title bout. This victory is the cleanest and most technically sound finish of the grappler’s career, and will likely remain that way, as it will surely be hard to top.

Brian Knapp: When the Ultimate Fighting Championship released David Branch in 2011, few batted an eye. The Renzo Gracie-trained Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt had underachieved inside the Octagon by most accounts, with victories over Rich Attonito and Tomasz Drwal bracketed by losses to Gerald Harris and Rousimar Palhares. After one-off appearances in the Pure MMA and Titan Fighting Championship organizations, Branch revitalized his career in the World Series of Fighting.

This brabo choke and WSOF title win represented his rise to MMA prominence. Five months later, Branch continued his ascent on the 185-pound ladder, as he took care of perennial contender Yushin Okami with fourth-round punches and cemented his place as one of the world’s top 10 middleweights. Not bad for a guy who was told his services were no longer needed a few short years ago.

Tristen Critchfield: During a nondescript Ultimate Fighting Championship tenure, it would’ve been hard to imagine that David Branch would win a title in a large organization, or receive year-end recognition for his finishing prowess in the process. That, however, is exactly what happened at WSOF10. In spite of how quick it was, his accomplishment did not come without one harrowing episode in the bout’s opening moments, when Taylor appeared to sink in a tight guillotine choke.

Eventually Branch was able to free himself from the hold, and when Taylor shifted to his knees, Branch snatched the brabo choke and it was over. This was real redemption for Renzo Gracie pupil, who was cut from the UFC in 2011 despite having won two of his last three in the Octagon. The nature of the victory also dispelled the notion that Branch was a boring fighter only capable of winning grinding decisions.

“I don't feel my style is too cautious; I think it is intelligent and very, very effective,” Branch told Shedog.com prior to his signature victory. He proved himself right -- and quieted the critics -- with his submission of Taylor.

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