Brookins hopes title soon reality

When Jonathan Brookins got the invitation to join the Season 12 cast, he thought his opportunity might have already passed.

The 25-year-old made sure to make the most of his chance and will fight Michael Johnson for the season title, and the lucrative Ultimate Fighting Championship contract, Saturday at the Palms.

Living on his coach’s couch in Houston in 2008, Brookins had been working on getting a fight in World Extreme Cagefighting and watched Jose Aldo’s debut in the organization. Brookins predicted he would get a shot in the WEC and that it would be against Aldo. He also predicted the winner of that bout would go on to the top of the featherweight division.

Brookins proved to be prophetic — he was offered a bout against Aldo.

“Once that came true, I thought maybe everything would come true and I thought it was going to be me,” said Brookins, who suffered a third-round knockout to Aldo, who has gone on to capture the title. “He taught me many valuable lessons, lessons I’m still trying to learn.”

Brookins left the cage “devastated” but quickly decided not to dwell on his missed opportunity.

“That night I wanted to jump off a cliff,” he said. “But by the next morning I was thankful. I chose to look at that as a positive experience.”

Brookins rebounded quickly, winning his next three fights in smaller organizations, before being extended an invitation to appear on the reality TV show.

He could have made an argument that his talent and success, combined with a decent showing against Aldo, were enough to land him a contract without enduring the rigors of being on the show. But Brookins accepted the challenge.

“I was trying to build that case, but once I saw this opportunity, I knew this was a way that I could present the case even stronger,” he said. “I could have been knocking at the UFC’s door for a couple more years before they took another look at me.”

In addition to his fighting ability, Brookins showed a bit of a unique personality while on the show.

While many of his fellow castmates, just as in previous seasons, liked to drink and play pranks, Brookins was often seen sitting by himself in the backyard drawing or writing.

He said he has spent much of his time since filming ended reading on the philosophy of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius.

“I’m kind of disappointed in my mental stimulation since being in the house. It’s been up and down,” he said. “I don’t know why, but it took me a little longer to find myself than I anticipated. I don’t know what kind of got lost in translation from six weeks in the house to being let go back into freedom.”

Brookins said he is thankful to have another chance to prove he belongs at this level.

“I expect to please the people that tuned into (the show). I just can’t help but have them in mind. They care about this stuff. I can’t help but want to make sure they’re satisfied,” he said. “Without that, this sport is nothing. I tend to try to compete for other people’s approval. I’m a hard critic, but at the end of the day, I’m not going to let them down.”

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.