Derek Brunson Out of UFC 200 Bout Against Gegard Mousasi

It appears that Gegard Mousasi will need a new opponent at UFC 200.

Sherdog.com has learned from sources close to the situation that Derek Brunson has been forced to pull out of the July 9 middleweight bout against Mousasi. Promotion officials are expected to begin seeking a replacement opponent for the former Strikeforce champion soon.

The matchup was expected to serve as the featured UFC Fight Pass preliminary bout at UFC 200. Brunson’s withdrawal has not been officially announced by the promotion. UFC 200 takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and is headlined by a light heavyweight championship clash between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones.

Brunson has won six of his seven UFC appearances, with his only setback coming against Yoel Romero in January 2014. The Jackson-Wink MMA product has finished his last three opponents — Roan Carneiro, Sam Alvey and Ed Herman — via KO or TKO inside of a round.

Mousasi has won three of his last four bouts, including a three-round verdict over Thales Leites in his most recent outing at UFC Fight Night in London on Feb. 27.