Being a two-division titleholder is all the rage in MMA these days, but David Branch sees things a bit differently.

The reigning king of both the light heavyweight and middleweight divisions under the World Series of Fighting banner isn't simply collecting belts, he's defending them. And that's what truly matters to the New York native.

"I definitely feel I'm setting the standard of a true champion," Branch said. "I was always told a true champion is supposed to defend their titles, so I just focused on defending my belts. I really can't focus on things other people are doing, but I know that's something I've already done. I've already cemented it, and now I have to keep doing these things.

"I'm still not done with my accomplishments and achieving the goals I have ahead of me."

The next item on Branch's list will be a middleweight title defense against Louis Taylor at WSOF 34. Not only will it mark another chapter in the champion's historic run, but the event also holds special value as it will take place at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City on New Year's Eve.

As a veteran of the sport, Branch has fought all over the United States, and those experiences make coming home all the more special.

"It's surreal, and I don't think it's really hit me just yet," Branch said. "I think it will hit me on fight week when I'm here and getting ready rather than being on the road somewhere else like I always have before. It's going to be a good thing with me being here, because it's going to give me that much more energy to show out in front of my fans.

"It not only puts me on a bigger stage, but it allows me to network and really brand myself right here in New York. That's most important, because I'm a resident of New York. It's just an all-around good thing for me. It's good for my business, my brand...everything."

Over the past five years, Branch has risen to become one of the best fighters in the world and has done so in two different weight classes. The 34-year-old titleholder appears to be getting better with each performance, and the nine-fight winning streak he's currently riding serves as proof.

"I consider myself almost like a Bernard Hopkins of MMA," Branch said. "Someone who came into their own later in their career because I had a late start in MMA, but now I'm just flowing. I'm doing all the right things I need to do. I train like a professional, live like a professional, think like a professional, and act like a professional."

The stage is set for what could potentially be one of the biggest nights of his professional career, and Branch isn't taking anything about his opponent lightly.

Taylor is currently riding a five-fight winning streak and has notched back-to-back victories inside the WSOF cage. In March, Taylor submitted Cory Devela by guillotine choke in the first round at WSOF 29 and then sank another guillotine in July to knock off Phil Hawes in the second round ​at WSOF 32.

"I think I'm technically superior to [Taylor] in every aspect of the game, but I'm still training hard for him because he's dangerous," Branch said. "He's shown a good guillotine and sharp, quick movements in certain areas. Everyone presents different problems in there, and I don't sleep on anybody. I'm not going to go in there and take the guy lightly, but I am going to dismantle him."

Branch believes Taylor earned a shot at the middleweight crown with his win over Hawes and created the ideal scenario for a high-profile tilt to be formed.

"That win gave him legitimacy, and then he went on Twitter and Instagram while I was fighting and started talking about taking my belt and stuff like that," Branch said. "I wanted him as an opponent so I can have a good year for 2016. This is another opportunity for me to showcase a great victory, and by him opening his mouth, it is something we can sell."