David Branch’s career as a mixed professional martial artist dates back to 2007. He previously competed in the World Series of Fighting (WSOF), Bellator and several independent MMA promotions before joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in early 2017. A former two-division champion, Branch won middleweight. Championship and the Light Heavyweight Championship during his stint in the WSOF.
David Branch biography
David was born on September 26, 1981 in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was raised alone by his mother and he only met his father when he became an adult. He had a difficult childhood in the Bronx, New York, and as a teenager he had several run-ins with the law, which earned him long stints in juvenile detention centers. Branch attended high school at the A. Philip Randolph Campus in Harlem, New York. He finally gave up his bad habits after getting a job as a construction worker.
At 19, Branch had a life-changing experience after watching a vintage UFC videotape that sparked his interest in mixed martial arts and charted a new course for his life. He devoted his early years of martial arts training to karate before eventually moving on to Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He trained with Michael Casey for 3 years at Relson Gracie’s satellite school in the Bronx, after which he moved to Renzo Gracie Academy, owned by veteran Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner Renzo Gracie. Branch earned his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and also won several titles during his long stint with Gracie.
David Branch turned pro in 2007 and he compiled an impressive 3-0 record before joining the Bellator MMA promotion. In his Bellator debut, Branch defeated Dennis Olson at the Bellator 11 event held in June 2009. He also recorded a win over Derrick Mehmen at Bellator 15 which was held in April 2010. The talented fighter joined the UFC on a 4-fight deal in May 2010. Branch made his UFC debut at the UFC 116 event on July 3, 2010, and was defeated by Gerald Harris, the first loss of his professional career. This was followed by a win over Tomasz Drwal at UFC Fight Night 22 and another win over Rich Attonito atThe Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale. In the final fight of his contract, Branch was defeated by Rousimar Palhares on March 3, 2011, at the UFC on Versus 3 event.
Following his release from the UFC in March 2011, David Branch continued to participate in various independent MMA promotions, recording 2 wins and 1 loss. He eventually joined the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) promotion in late 2012 and after winning his first 2 fights as part of the promotion, he competed in a four-way tournament to determine the organization’s first middleweight champion. . Branch won the tournament held in June 2014 to become the World Series of Fighting Middleweight Champion. He successfully defended the title against 3 challengers and he also won the WSOF Light Heavyweight Championship in September 2015, thus simultaneously holding the Light Heavyweight & Middleweight belts.
David Branch joined the UFC in February 2017 after nearly 6 years away from the organization. He recorded a win over Krzysztof Jotko at UFC 211 held in May 2017 which was followed by a loss to Luke Rockhold in September 2017 at UFC Fight Night 116 event. He also defeated Thiago Santos in April 2018 at UFC Fight Night 128 extending his record to 21 and 4 losses.
Family, brothers
Interestingly, David Branch is not the only member of his family with incredible athletic talents. His older brother Sechew Powell was also a professional boxer who won the US Amateur Middleweight Championship in 2001 and is also a former junior middleweight boxing contender. Another brother of his Jamelle Hamilton was also a professional boxer in his prime and a former New York Golden Gloves champion. David Branch has at least 21 siblings on his father’s side.
Net value
David Branch has remained consistent in his career since his professional debut in 2007. He was one of the highest paid fighters when he was signed to the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) MMA Promotion. He also runs the David Branch Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Hoboken, New Jersey. His career earnings are valued at well over $1 million, but his exact net worth is yet to be confirmed.
Height and width
David Branch has an impressive height of 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm). He maintains a body weight of 84 kg (185 lb). It has an arm reach of 81 inches.