Derek Brunson shows incredible muscle gain in first PFL shots at 39 compared to his UFC days… but MMA fans think there’s a simple explanation behind his striking body transformation

Derek Brunson said he was open to fighting in any weight class after joining the Professional Fighters League (PFL) last month and it appears he has kept his word.

Judging from his first official portrait for the PFL, the 39-year-old is in the shape of his life and looks even leaner and bigger than he did during his time in the UFC.

In his official UFC portrait, Brunson looks as muscular as you’d expect from a professional fighter, with his 6ft1in, 13.3 stone looking imposing.

But the 32-fight veteran’s muscles look even bigger in his first moment as a PFL fighter, with his abs and pecs looking more defined.

Brunson’s two shots were posted side by side on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, by the Andy Hickey MMA account.

The post noted that the difference between the two photos was “striking” and especially impressive considering Brunson is six weeks shy of his 40th birthday.

MMA star Derek Brunson now looks bigger in his official PFL portrait (right) compared to his UFC days (left)

An MMA account on X pointed out the contrast between Brunson’s two photos

But MMA fans believe the difference in physique was nothing more than an optical illusion because Brunson was lathered in what appears to be oil.

Others, meanwhile, suggested that The One looks much bigger in his PFL portrait because the photo was taken with better lighting and a gray background instead of a white one.

‘The UFC photo combination of edge lighting and a white background actually makes it look smaller. If the PFL photo shows the rim light correctly, someone wrote.

Another added: “Looks like they just lathered him in baby oil. Muscle looks the same, just oil to make it look more defined and different lighting.”

Meanwhile, a third commented: ‘They basically look the same lol. Sure, he’s not the best fighter ever, but the man is definitely a top athlete. This is not unusual for people like him.”

Brunson has historically fought at 185 pounds during his 13-year career, but the PFL does not currently have a middleweight division.

The American will face two-time welterweight champion Ray Cooper III on Friday and emphasized that he would like to compete in any weight class.

“I can make middleweight, I can make light heavyweight,” he said MMA mania earlier this week.

“I can go to heavyweight, so if they need someone to fight Francis Ngannou, you never know.”

Brunson, along with Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul, is among a string of high-profile free agents to sign for PFL in the past 12 months.

And PFL chairman Donn Davis believes the promotion’s rosters will get even better following the completion of its merger with rival Bellator earlier this week.

‘Our cards will be better [next year],’ he said.

‘It’s only a matter of time before that becomes more known and we’re not number two [behind UFC]but we are co-leaders.”