David Branch
Active 2017–present · rated in 2 editions · peak overall 79.0
Scouting report
Becoming a two-division simultaneous champion in WSOF before returning to the Octagon to score a first-round knockout over Thiago Santos, David Branch was a middleweight contender. Hailing from the Bronx, New York, and training under Renzo Gracie, Branch combined Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with control, his skillset highlighted by an 84 BJJ rating and an 82 Wrestling score.
Peak ratings
By edition
Returning to the UFC in 2017 as a concurrent two-division WSOF champion, Branch defeated Krzysztof Jotko by split decision at UFC 211 in Dallas before losing by second-round TKO to former champion Luke Rockhold in the Pittsburgh main event. His Renzo Gracie black belt submission pedigree, long jab, and clinch wrestling are reflected in a 79 Boxing and 82 Wrestling.
In April 2018 in Atlantic City, Branch scored a first-round knockout of top contender Thiago Santos, before suffering stoppage losses to Jared Cannonier at UFC 230 in Madison Square Garden and Hermansson in Philadelphia. His boxing counters, submission defense, and durable frame anchor his 78 Boxing and 81 Wrestling.
David Branch, a Renzo Gracie black belt who won titles in two divisions
David Branch was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, and raised in the Bronx. He started with karate for about two and a half years, moved to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and later trained under Renzo Gracie for around ten years before earning his black belt. He learned boxing at Church Street Boxing Gym with coach Jason Strout. He won titles at both middleweight and light heavyweight in World Series of Fighting.
Branch, one attribute at a time
Boxing. A respectable 79, five points above his kickboxing.
Kickboxing. His lowest number at 74, ten points below his BJJ.
Wrestling. A strong 82. He was a decision winner over Dustin Jacoby, Paulo Filho and Danillo Villefort in the first WSOF events.
BJJ. The top of his card at 84. He won the WSOF middleweight belt in 2014 with a D'Arce choke over Jesse Taylor in the first round.
Strength. 80. He beat Yushin Okami by fourth-round TKO in his first title defense in 2014.
Durability. 78. Gerald Harris knocked him out with a slam in his 2010 debut, and Luke Rockhold stopped him in 2017.
Cardio. 80. He went the distance against Krzysztof Jotko in 2017 and won a split decision.
Fight IQ. 80. He won the first round against Rockhold in 2017 before being stopped in the second.
A Gracie-trained BJJ that finishes fights
BJJ is his best rating at 84, and his career shows it. He choked Dennis Olson and Derrick Mehmen in his Bellator run, won the WSOF middleweight title with a D'Arce, and beat Jesse McElligott by technical submission on the way to the light heavyweight title.
Kickboxing is where he can be outpointed
Kickboxing is 74, the lowest on his card. Gerald Harris knocked him out with a slam in 2010, Rousimar Palhares submitted him with a kneebar in 2011, and Luke Rockhold stopped him in the second round in 2017.
Keep exploring
Closest middleweight profiles to David Branch, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Tim Kennedybest wrestling 84 · weakest kickboxing 75
- Jack Hermanssonbest cardio 88 · weakest kickboxing 77
- Yushin Okamibest wrestling 84 · weakest kickboxing 70
- Derek Brunsonbest wrestling 89 · weakest kickboxing 73
- Middleweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits David Branch's strongest attribute, BJJ.
Draft David Branch into your build
David Branch enters the pool on any spin landing on middleweight between 2016 and 2019. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how David Branch is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of David Branch's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.