Two-division WSOF champ David Branch planning short reign at light heavyweight

LAS VEGAS – Winning titles in two different divisions is no easy feat in MMA. Holding two of them at the same time basically makes you a legend.

That’s where David Branch (18-3) stands with WSOF. On Saturday in the WSOF 30 main event at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Branch defended his middleweight belt with a dominant decision over Clifford Starks (13-3).

Branch won the middleweight title nearly two years ago and defended it for the second time on Saturday. This past September, he won the promotion’s light heavyweight belt. He hasn’t put that one on the line yet – but despite knowing just how elite of company he’s in as a concurrent two-division champion, Branch believes his 205-pound title is likely to be short-lived.

“I just don’t think I’ll stay at 205 for that much longer,” Branch told MMAjunkie after his win over Starks. “It’s not my natural weight – a lot of those guys are huge. You’ve got some guys at 205 who come to the cage at almost 240 pounds. That’s not the kind of guy I’m looking to have a five-round fight with, or just a fight with. Some of these guys are just really big, and that’s the reason they make weight classes.

“Eventually, I’m going to have to respect that. I did what I did already – I’ve got maybe a title defense or two at 205, and I’m going to relinquish that belt.”

Dan Henderson had two titles at the same time in PRIDE nine years ago. And UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor was supposed to get a shot at the lightweight title before Rafael dos Anjos pulled out with an injury. McGregor held two titles at once for Cage Warriors before he came to the UFC.

Given the elite company with Henderson, Branch knows his accomplishment is a unique one, but still takes it in stride.

“It means a lot to me,” Branch said. “Only Dan Henderson and me have done it so far. Conor McGregor’s gonna do it, and I wish him the best. But right now, I’m the guy who’s got it – I’ve got double golds. So that’s the way it is.

“It’s not tough it all. It’s what I do for a living. I’m a professional. If that means I have to go up a little bit (in weight) – I’m already a big middleweight, so it’s not hard for me to go to 205.”

But despite not thinking it’s hard to get there, he seems to know it might be tough to stay there given the size differences between him and much of the rest of the light heavyweight class.

Check out the video above for more from Branch after his latest title win at WSOF 30, which took place at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas with a main card on NBCSN. And watch his complete backstage interview below.

Also see:

• WSOF 30 highlights: Abu Azaitar gets by Danny Davis Jr. in back-and-forth bout
• WSOF 30 highlights: Vinny Magalhaes holds off Jake Heun’s late rally to take decision
• WSOF 30 highlights: At long last, Jon Fitch gets his first major MMA title
• WSOF 30 highlights: David Branch retains middleweight title in rout of Clifford Starks

And for more on WSOF 30, check out the MMA Events section of the site.

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