Hubbry Logo
Jonathan BrookinsJonathan BrookinsMain
Open search
Jonathan Brookins
Community hub
Jonathan Brookins
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Jonathan Brookins
Jonathan Brookins
Jonathan Brookins
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Jonathan Brookins (born August 13, 1985) is an American former mixed martial artist who competed as a featherweight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional MMA competitor since 2006, Brookins has mostly fought in Florida, as well as competing in The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck. On December 4, 2010, Brookins defeated Michael Johnson to become the Ultimate Fighter and earn a contract with the UFC. During his time at Lindenwood University, he was also the college roommate of former fellow UFC fighter Mike Rio.[1]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Brookins was born on August 13, 1985, in Portland, Oregon. He attended high school at Century High School in Hillsboro, Oregon, a suburb of Portland.[2] There he started wrestling, winning a state title his senior year and earning a scholarship to Lindenwood University.[2]

Mixed martial arts career

[edit]

Background

[edit]

Brookins was introduced to mixed martial arts by Charles Bennett. After meeting him and training with him, Brookins made his professional MMA debut against Allen Berube, a TUF 5 veteran. Having only trained in wrestling, Brookins surprised himself by winning via KO in under twenty seconds.[3]

Brookins has mostly fought at featherweight, most notably in World Extreme Cagefighting where he lost to José Aldo via TKO in the third round. Brookins would later rebound at Bellator 1 where he defeated Stephen Ledbetter via submission (rear naked choke).

Brookins then won two fights in G-Force fights, the most notable being a submission victory over Luis Palomino.

The Ultimate Fighter

[edit]

Brookins then signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship to compete in The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck.[4]

In the debut episode, Brookins faced fellow wrestler Ran Weathers. Brookins would go on to take a unanimous decision victory in two rounds.[5] Following this, Brookins was selected by Team GSP. Brookins was GSPs second pick and the fourth overall.[6]

Brookins was picked by GSP to face Sevak Magakian in the preliminary house fights. Brookins faked a takedown, which fooled Magakian. Brookins was then able to take down Magakian before attempting a standing rear naked choke. Brookins eventually secured the submission at 2:04 of the opening round.[7]

In the quarter-finals, Brookins faced Judo specialist Sako Chivitchian. Brookins was able to throw Chivitchian to the mat, which forced Chivitchian to try to stand up. Brookins then got hooks in and worked for a rear naked choke, eventually sealing it soon after, to advance to the semi-finals.[8]

In the semi-final round, Brookins faced teammate Kyle Watson. In a somewhat lopsided bout, Brookins controlled Watson on the ground to take a 30–27 judges decision.[9] The win moved Brookins into the finals against Michael Johnson.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

[edit]

Brookins defeated Michael Johnson at The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck Finale. In the first round, Brookins was dominated on the feet by Johnson. However, he pulled through and used his wrestling to edge rounds 2 and 3, taking the unanimous decision to become The Ultimate Fighter.

Brookins was expected to face John Makdessi on April 30, 2011 at UFC 129.[10] However, Brookins was pulled from the bout and replaced by Kyle Watson.[11]

Brookins was expected to face Jeremy Stephens on June 4, 2011 at The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale.[12] However, Brookins was forced from the bout with an injury and replaced by Danny Downes.[13]

Brookins returned to featherweight for his next fight and faced Erik Koch on September 17, 2011 at UFC Fight Night 25.[14] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Brookins was expected to face Rani Yahya on February 15, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV 1.[15] However, Yahya was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Vagner Rocha.[16] Brookins won via KO in the first round.

Brookins faced Charles Oliveira on June 1, 2012 at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale.[17] He lost the fight via submission due to a guillotine choke in the second round.

Brookins next faced Dustin Poirier on December 15, 2012 at The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson Finale.[18] He lost the back-and-forth fight via submission in the first round.

On December 21, 2012, Brookins decided to retire from MMA in order to move to India and devote his time to practicing Yoga full-time.[19]

Legacy Fighting Championship

[edit]

On January 24, 2014, it was announced that Brookins would return from his retirement to fight for Legacy Fighting Championship. He dropped down to the Flyweight division to make his debut on March 21 at Legacy FC 29 against Cody Fuller.[20] Brookins was victorious in his flyweight debut with a second round submission finish. He then faced Austin Lyons in a bantamweight bout at Legacy FC 34 on August 29, 2014.[21] Brookins lost the fight via unanimous decision.[22]

Pancrase

[edit]

Brookins made his Pancrase debut at Pancrase 262 in a non-title fight taking on the Pancrase Bantamweight Champion Shintaro Ishiwatari .[23] He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

Mixed martial arts record

[edit]
Professional record breakdown
27 matches 16 wins 11 losses
By knockout 5 2
By submission 7 2
By decision 4 7
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 16–11 Ryan MacDonald TKO (elbows and punches) Art of Scrap 10 April 11, 2025 3 2:59 Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States Catchweight (140 lb) bout.
Win 16–10 Decky Dalton Decision (unanimous) BAMMA 28 February 24, 2017 3 5:00 Belfast, Northern Ireland
Loss 15–10 Kyle Nelson Decision (split) Z Promotions: Fight Night Medicine Hat 2 October 28, 2016 3 5:00 Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada
Loss 15–9 Tom Niinimäki Decision (unanimous) Euro FC 1 October 1, 2016 3 5:00 Espoo, Finland Return to Featherweight.
Loss 15–8 Shintaro Ishiwatari Decision (unanimous) Pancrase 279 July 24, 2016 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan For the Pancrase Bantamweight Championship.
Win 15–7 Shintaro Ishiwatari Decision (unanimous) Pancrase 262 November 1, 2014 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan Non-title bout.
Loss 14–7 Austin Lyons Decision (unanimous) Legacy FC 34 August 29, 2014 3 5:00 Tunica, Mississippi, United States Bantamweight debut.
Win 14–6 Cody Fuller Submission (rear-naked choke) Legacy FC 29 March 21, 2014 2 3:02 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Flyweight debut.
Loss 13–6 Dustin Poirier Submission (brabo choke) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson Finale December 15, 2012 1 4:15 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 13–5 Charles Oliveira Submission (guillotine choke) The Ultimate Fighter: Live Finale June 1, 2012 2 2:42 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 13–4 Vagner Rocha KO (punches) UFC on Fuel TV: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger February 15, 2012 1 1:32 Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Loss 12–4 Erik Koch Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Shields vs. Ellenberger September 17, 2011 3 5:00 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Return to Featherweight.
Win 12–3 Michael Johnson Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck Finale December 4, 2010 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Won The Ultimate Fighter 12 Lightweight Tournament.
Win 11–3 Yosdenis Cedeno Decision (unanimous) G-Force Fights: Bad Blood 3 February 4, 2010 3 5:00 Miami, Florida, United States
Win 10–3 Luis Palomino Submission (rear-naked choke) G-Force Fights: Bad Blood 2 September 26, 2009 2 1:44 Coral Gables, Florida, United States Return to Lightweight.
Win 9–3 Stephen Ledbetter Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 1 April 3, 2009 1 3:32 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Loss 8–3 José Aldo TKO (punches) WEC 36 November 5, 2008 3 0:45 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win 8–2 Jose Santibanez Submission (rear-naked choke) South Coast Promotions 1 July 18, 2008 1 2:07 Houston, Texas, United States Featherweight debut.
Loss 7–2 Greg Loughran Decision (split) Cage Warriors 32 March 29, 2008 3 5:00 Kissimmee, Florida, United States
Win 7–1 Jose Figueroa Submission (guillotine choke) World Extreme Fighting: King of the Streets December 1, 2007 1 2:47 Kissimmee, Florida, United States
Win 6–1 Donald Brook TKO (submission to punches) Harmful Intent Promotions 2 November 3, 2007 1 0:35 Estero, Florida, United States
Win 5–1 Yves Jabouin TKO (submission to elbows) Ultimate Warrior Challenge 2 June 30, 2007 2 3:35 Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Loss 4–1 Harris Sarmiento Decision (unanimous) Shakedown 1 May 19, 2007 3 5:00 Maui, Hawaii, United States
Win 4–0 Sean Bartlett TKO (punches) Combat FC 3 February 17, 2007 1 4:05 Orlando, Florida, United States
Win 3–0 Ryan Nakamura Submission (rear-naked choke) Combat FC 2 September 23, 2006 1 1:09 Orlando, Florida, United States
Win 2–0 York Ash Submission (guillotine choke) Full Throttle 8 August 11, 2006 1 3:58 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win 1–0 Allen Berube KO (punch) Combat FC 1 July 15, 2006 1 0:19 Orlando, Florida, United States Lightweight debut.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jonathan Brookins

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jonathan Brookins (born August 13, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the featherweight division and is best known for winning the twelfth season of The Ultimate Fighter reality series in 2010, earning a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Over the course of his professional career, Brookins has compiled a record of 16 wins and 11 losses, with notable victories including a unanimous decision over Michael Johnson to claim the TUF title and a first-round TKO against Vagner Rocha in his UFC debut. Standing at 6 feet tall with a southpaw stance, he has fought in prominent organizations such as the UFC, World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), and regional promotions like Art of Scrap, with his most recent bout being a third-round TKO loss to Ryan MacDonald on April 11, 2025. Brookins began his professional MMA career in 2006, quickly establishing himself as a submission specialist with seven of his wins coming by that method, including armbars and rear-naked chokes. His entry into the national spotlight came during The Ultimate Fighter 12, where he trained under coach Georges St-Pierre and defeated Jeff Lentz, Kyle Watson, and Michael Johnson to advance to the finale. In the WEC, prior to the UFC acquisition, Brookins faced future Hall of Famer José Aldo in 2008, suffering a third-round TKO loss that highlighted the challenges of competing against elite strikers. Following his TUF victory, he debuted in the UFC with a win over Rocha but encountered setbacks, including submission losses to Charles Oliveira in 2012 and Dustin Poirier later that year, which contributed to a period of personal and professional difficulties. Amid struggles with and substance use in late 2012, Brookins took a hiatus from MMA in early 2013 to travel to for spiritual growth, enrolling in a teacher training course in and practicing Ashtanga and Vipassana in and Dharamsala. During this time, he funded educational supplies for local children and overcame challenges such as a snake bite, ultimately returning to in late August 2013, later training at the in by November and shifting to the division. Brookins resumed fighting in 2014, securing wins in promotions like Legacy Fighting Championship and , followed by a win in in 2017, though he continued to face defeats against top competition. By 2020, he expressed ongoing interest in life's deeper questions while maintaining positivity and considering sporadic returns to the cage, blending his MMA background with pursuits in , , and . His 2025 fight marked a continued, albeit intermittent, presence in the sport after over a decade of balancing combat sports with .

Early life and education

Childhood in Oregon

Jonathan Brookins was born on August 13, 1985, in , though some secondary sources erroneously list , as his birthplace; primary biographical accounts consistently confirm Portland. He grew up in a mobile home park in Hillsboro, a suburb about 30 minutes west of Portland, as one of seven siblings in a mixed-race family—his father of African-American descent and his mother of German ancestry. Brookins' childhood was marked by challenges, including his father's departure when he was three years old, which contributed to a fractured home environment and periods of identity struggles related to his biracial background. Despite these difficulties, his family provided a modest but supportive upbringing with access to outdoor activities in the park, fostering his early athletic inclinations. The family later faced further hardship with the death of one of his sisters shortly after , prompting the family's relocation to , which Brookins joined after leaving college around 2006. From an early age, Brookins developed an interest in combat sports, particularly inspired by watching World Wrestling Federation (WWF) events, which sparked his fascination with wrestling during his elementary school years. This initial exposure laid the groundwork for his later pursuits, though his formal introduction to competitive wrestling came in high school at Century High School in Hillsboro.

High school wrestling and college

Brookins attended Century High School in Hillsboro, Oregon, where he developed his wrestling skills under the guidance of the school's coach, who recognized his athletic potential early on. As a junior in 2002, he placed second in the Oregon big-school division at 145 pounds, demonstrating strong competitive form. In his senior year of 2003, Brookins captured the state championship title in the same weight class, representing Century High School in the OSAA 4A Wrestling Championships and securing a to as a result of his accomplishments. Following high school, Brookins enrolled at Lindenwood University in suburban St. Louis, Missouri, where he participated in the wrestling program during his time there. At the NAIA institution, he roomed with Mike Rio, a fellow wrestler who later became a UFC fighter and national champion for Lindenwood. Brookins remained at the university through his junior year, contributing to the team's efforts before departing to pursue mixed martial arts full-time.

Pre-UFC career

Professional debut and early fights

Jonathan Brookins made his professional debut on July 15, 2006, at Combat Fighting Championship 1 in , where he defeated Allen Berube by via punch just 19 seconds into the first round. This quick victory showcased Brookins' striking power early in his career. Following his debut, Brookins embarked on a string of impressive wins in regional promotions, leveraging his wrestling background to dominate opponents on the ground. On August 11, 2006, at Full Throttle 8, he submitted York Ash via in the first round. Later that year, on September 23, 2006, at CFC 2, he earned a first-round rear-naked choke submission over Ryan Nakamura at 1:09. His momentum continued into 2007 with a first-round TKO via punches against Sean Bartlett on February 17 at CFC 3. These victories highlighted Brookins' expertise, rooted in his experience. Brookins suffered his first professional loss on May 19, 2007, at Shakedown: Maui vs. Oahu in , , dropping a unanimous decision to Harris Sarmiento after three rounds. Undeterred, he rebounded quickly, securing a second-round TKO (submission to elbows) against Yves Jabouin on June 30, 2007, at Ultimate Warrior Challenge 2 in . Brookins capped this early phase with additional first-round finishes, including a TKO via punches over Donald Brook on November 3, 2007, at Harmful Intent Promotions 2, and a submission of Jose Figueroa on December 1, 2007, at World Extreme Fighting: King of the Streets. In 2008, Brookins faced a setback in his first international bout, losing a to Greg Loughran on March 29 at Fighting Championship USA: Battle Royale in , after three rounds. He recovered later that year with a first-round rear-naked choke submission victory over Jose Santibanez on July 18 at South Coast Promotions: Underground in , at 2:07, bringing his record to 8-2. These bouts provided further experience ahead of his entry into major promotions.

World Extreme Cagefighting and Bellator appearances

Brookins made his (WEC) debut on November 5, 2008, at WEC 36: Faber vs. Brown in , where he faced future UFC champion in a bout. Entering the fight with an 8-2 record, Brookins was submitted to Aldo's striking prowess, losing via TKO (punches) at 0:45 of the third round after absorbing significant damage in a stand-up war. This marked Brookins' first exposure to elite-level competition and his initial professional loss by stoppage, highlighting the challenges of transitioning from regional circuits to a major promotion. Following the setback, Brookins rebounded in Bellator Fighting Championships, debuting at Bellator 1 on , 2009, in , against Stephen Ledbetter in a tournament quarterfinal. He secured a dominant victory via rear-naked choke submission at 3:32 of the first round, advancing in the tournament and improving his record to 9-3. Although Brookins did not progress further in the Bellator tournament due to the bracket structure, the win demonstrated his grappling prowess against a durable opponent. Building momentum from his Bellator performance, Brookins competed in regional promotions throughout 2009 and early 2010, notching key victories that elevated his profile ahead of . On September 26, 2009, at G-Force Fights: Bad Blood 2 in , he submitted via rear-naked choke at 1:44 of the second round, bringing his record to 10-3. He followed this with a win over Yosdenis Cedeno on February 4, 2010, at G-Force Fights: Bad Blood 3 in Miami, Florida, outgrappling the Cuban fighter over three rounds to reach an 11-3 record. These successes, stemming from his early regional wins, solidified Brookins' reputation as a submission specialist and paved the way for his invitation to 12.

Ultimate Fighting Championship era

The Ultimate Fighter 12

Jonathan Brookins was selected as a lightweight contestant for the twelfth season of The Ultimate Fighter, subtitled Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck, which premiered on September 15, 2010, on Spike TV. With a professional record of 11-3 entering the competition, Brookins earned his invitation through regional success and a competitive performance against José Aldo in 2008. Assigned to Team GSP under head coach , Brookins navigated the tournament with a focus on his grappling prowess. In the unaired preliminary round on June 5, 2010, he defeated Ran Weathers by after two rounds. Advancing to the aired opening round, Brookins submitted Sevak Magakian via rear-naked choke at 2:04 of the first round on June 26, 2010. In the quarterfinals on July 7, 2010, he again secured a first-round rear-naked choke submission, this time against Sako Chivitchian at 2:07. Brookins then overcame teammate Kyle Watson in the semifinals on July 12, 2010, earning a victory over three rounds despite the internal team tension. Throughout the training camp, St-Pierre emphasized conditioning and technique, incorporating guest instructors such as specialist to refine the team's striking and integration; St-Pierre later described Brookins as his "secret weapon" for his versatility and composure under pressure. On December 4, 2010, at the UFC: The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale event held at The Pearl at the Palms in , , Brookins claimed the season's tournament title. He defeated fellow Team GSP finalist Michael Johnson by (29-28, 29-28, 29-27) across three rounds, showcasing resilient takedown defense and ground control after a challenging first round where Johnson landed heavier strikes. This victory not only crowned Brookins the winner of 12 but also secured him a contract with the .

UFC fights and contract

Following his victory in The Ultimate Fighter 12 finale, Brookins secured a multi-fight contract with the (UFC), marking the start of his tenure in the promotion's featherweight division. Brookins made his official post-TUF debut against on September 17, 2011, at UFC Fight Night: Shields vs. Ellenberger in New Orleans, , where he suffered a loss after three rounds, with judges scoring it 30-27 across the board. He rebounded with a victory over on February 15, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 1 in , landing a series of punches at 1:32 of the first round to earn Performance of the Night honors. However, his momentum stalled in subsequent bouts, beginning with a submission loss to via at 2:42 of the second round on June 1, 2012, at The Ultimate Fighter: Live Finale in , . Brookins' UFC run concluded with a first-round submission defeat to via D'arce choke at 4:15 on December 15, 2012, at 16 Finale in , , after which the promotion released him from his contract amid a 1-3 record in non-TUF bouts. The release came as Brookins grappled with personal challenges, leading him to step away from competition temporarily.

Post-UFC career

Legacy Fighting Championship and

Following his release from the after a submission loss to at 16 Finale in December 2012, Jonathan Brookins briefly retired from to pursue a spiritual journey, moving to to practice full-time. This hiatus lasted nearly a year and a half, during which Brookins focused on personal growth and physical recovery through intensive yoga training, before deciding to return to competition in early 2014. Motivated by a renewed sense of purpose, he signed with Legacy Fighting Championship (LFC) and dropped to the flyweight division for his comeback bout. Brookins made a successful return at LFC 29 on March 21, 2014, in Houston, Texas, where he defeated Cody Fuller by rear-naked choke submission in the second round at 3:02. This victory marked his first win since 2011 and showcased his grappling prowess, as he controlled the fight on the ground before securing the finish. Five months later, at LFC 34 on August 29, 2014, in Tunica, Mississippi, Brookins moved up to bantamweight and faced Austin Lyons, ultimately losing by unanimous decision after three rounds. Lyons outstruck Brookins throughout the bout, preventing him from imposing his wrestling game effectively. Brookins then ventured internationally for his Pancrase debut at Pancrase 262 on November 2, 2014, in , , competing at against Shintaro Ishiwatari. In a closely contested three-round fight, Brookins earned a victory, relying on his superior wrestling to neutralize Ishiwatari's striking and control the pace on the mat. This win improved his momentum heading into further regional opportunities and highlighted his adaptability in a new promotional environment.

Regional promotions and later bouts

Following his initial victory over Shintaro Ishiwatari by at 262 in 2014, Brookins faced the Japanese fighter in a rematch for the Championship on July 24, 2016, at 279, where he lost via after five rounds. Later that year, Brookins suffered consecutive decision losses, first to Tom Niinimäki by on October 1 at Euro FC 1 in , , and then to Kyle Nelson by on October 28 at Z Promotions: Fight Night 3 in , , . Brookins secured a unanimous decision victory over Decky Dalton in the co-main event of BAMMA 28 on February 24, 2017, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, marking his only win during this period of sporadic activity. After this bout, he entered an extended hiatus from competition lasting over seven years, during which he did not fight professionally. Brookins returned to the cage on April 11, 2025, at Art of Scrap 10 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA, but was stopped by Ryan MacDonald via TKO (strikes) at 2:59 of the third round. Over the course of his post-UFC career, spanning regional and international promotions from 2014 to 2025, Brookins compiled a record of 3 wins and 5 losses, reflecting a decline in fight frequency and consistency in later years.

Fighting style and legacy

Grappling expertise and techniques

Jonathan Brookins' grappling prowess forms the cornerstone of his style, blending a solid foundation in wrestling with proficiency in (BJJ). As a purple belt in BJJ under the system, Brookins earned his rank during his time on Season 12, where he demonstrated technical skill in ground-based attacks. His approach emphasizes control and transitions to dominant positions, allowing him to neutralize opponents' striking advantages and capitalize on submission opportunities. Brookins' wrestling background, honed as a high school state champion in in 2003 at 152 pounds for Century High School, provided him with elite takedown abilities and top control. This base enabled him to dictate the pace in fights by closing distance, securing takedowns, and maintaining pressure from the guard or mount, as seen in his use of persistent wrestling to reverse an early deficit against Michael Johnson in the TUF 12 finale, where multiple single-leg takedowns led to extended ground dominance in the later rounds. He often transitioned seamlessly from stand-up exchanges to clinch work, using underhooks and trips to bring bouts to the mat and avoid prolonged striking battles. A significant portion of Brookins' success stemmed from his submission game, with 7 of his 16 professional wins (44%) coming via submission, including frequent applications of the rear-naked choke and . Notable examples include rear-naked chokes against opponents like Cody Fuller, , Stephen Ledbetter, Jose Santibanez, and Ryan Nakamura, showcasing his ability to secure back control and finish with precise hooks and squeezes. Guillotine chokes against Jose Figueroa and York Ash highlighted his opportunistic striking-to- shifts, often catching foes during takedown attempts or scrambles. Complementing these finishes, 5 of his 16 victories (31%) were by TKO, frequently involving ground-and-pound from dominant positions established through . Despite his offensive grappling strengths, Brookins faced challenges against elite submission specialists, notably succumbing to brabo choke variations in losses—such as a brabo choke to Dustin Poirier and an anaconda choke to Charles Oliveira—exposing vulnerabilities in defending head-arm chokes during transitions. Overall, his style prioritized tactical exchanges over high-risk submissions, leveraging wrestling for setup and BJJ for execution to control fights methodically.

Career impact and post-fighting activities

Jonathan Brookins' triumph as the winner of Season 12 in 2010 positioned him as a quintessential in the lightweight division, defying initial perceptions of him as an unassuming contender through persistent and mental fortitude to secure the contract. His victory over Michael Johnson by not only capped a four-fight win streak but also highlighted themes of resilience that resonated with fans and emerging fighters navigating the competitive MMA landscape. Brookins' distinctive, introspective presence on the show—marked by and a quiet demeanor—further cemented his role in inspiring narratives of personal growth amid adversity in the sport. Brookins' grappling-oriented approach, demonstrated through submission wins like his rear-naked choke against Aaron Wilkinson, helped shape the tactical emphasis on ground control and transitions in early UFC matchups after his 2011 weight cut. Training alongside elite grapplers at camps such as exposed him to advanced techniques that he later shared within his circles, subtly influencing the meta toward hybrid wrestling-Brazilian jiu-jitsu styles prevalent in the division during the mid-2010s. After parting ways with the UFC in 2013 following a 2-3 record, Brookins sought renewal through an approximately eight-month sojourn in starting in early 2013, where he immersed himself in , Vipassana meditation, and spiritual exploration in places like and . This retreat, prompted by personal challenges including , substance use, and burnout, allowed him to teach to local children and confront inner struggles, ultimately reigniting his passion for competition upon his return. The experience marked a pivotal shift, integrating practices into his life and training regimen. Post-return, Brookins trained at Montreal's , fostering connections that informed his instructional approach, blending MMA tactics with wellness principles. As of November 2025, Brookins maintains a semi-retired status after intermittent fights, including a loss to Ryan MacDonald at of Scrap 10 in April 2025, while prioritizing wellness pursuits such as instruction, , , and hosting the The Work with Jonathan Brookins. His ongoing engagement with and continues to define his post-fighting path, emphasizing holistic growth over full-time competition.

Championships and record

Accomplishments

Jonathan Brookins' most prominent accomplishment came in 2010 when he won Season 12 lightweight tournament, defeating Michael Johnson via unanimous decision in the finale to secure a UFC contract. This victory marked the high point of his career, showcasing his resilience and skill in a highly competitive reality series format. Earlier, in , Brookins participated in the inaugural event of Bellator Fighting Championships, earning a first-round submission win via rear-naked choke against Stephen Ledbetter in a non-tournament bout. The performance highlighted his early potential on a national stage. Brookins did not win any other major world titles, but prior to his UFC entry, he established regional success in promotions such as Combat Fighting Championship and Full Throttle Fight Night. Over his professional career, Brookins compiled a record of 16 wins and 11 losses, including 7 submission victories that underscored his expertise.

Professional MMA record

Jonathan Brookins compiled a professional record of 16 wins and 11 losses over 27 bouts, spanning from July 15, 2006, to April 11, 2025. His wins consisted of 5 by or technical , 7 by submission, and 4 by decision, while his losses included 2 by or technical , 2 by submission, and 7 by decision. Across promotions, he recorded 2 wins and 3 losses in the UFC, 0-1 in the WEC, 1-0 in Bellator, 1-1 in , 1-1 in Legacy Fighting Championship, and 11-5 in various other organizations. Brookins' 7 submission victories underscored his grappling expertise, frequently employing rear-naked chokes and guillotines to finish opponents.
Res.RecordOpponentMethodRoundTimeDateEventLocation
Loss16–11Ryan MacDonaldTKO (Strikes)32:59Apr 11, 2025AOS 10: Moore vs. AlmeidaOrlando, Florida, USA
Win16–10Decky DaltonDecision (Unanimous)35:00Feb 24, 2017BAMMA 28: Parke vs. RedmondDublin, Ireland
Loss15–10Kyle NelsonDecision (Split)35:00Oct 28, 2016Z Promotions: Fight Night 3Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada
Loss15–9Tom NiinimakiDecision (Unanimous)35:00Oct 01, 2016Euro FC 1: The New EraVienna, Austria
Loss15–8Shintaro IshiwatariDecision (Unanimous)55:00Jul 24, 2016Pancrase 279Tokyo, Japan
Win15–7Shintaro IshiwatariDecision (Unanimous)35:00Nov 02, 2014Pancrase 262Tokyo, Japan
Loss14–7Austin LyonsDecision (Unanimous)35:00Aug 29, 2014Legacy FC 34Houston, Texas, USA
Win14–6Cody FullerSubmission (RNC)23:02Mar 21, 2014Legacy FC 29Houston, Texas, USA
Loss13–6Dustin PoirierSubmission (Brabo Choke)14:15Dec 15, 2012UFC: The Ultimate Fighter 16 FinaleLas Vegas, Nevada, USA
Loss13–5Charles OliveiraSubmission (Guillotine)22:42Jun 01, 2012UFC: The Ultimate Fighter 15 FinaleLas Vegas, Nevada, USA
Win13–4Vagner RochaKO (Punches)11:32Feb 15, 2012UFC on Fuel TV: Sanchez vs. EllenbergerOmaha, Nebraska, USA
Loss12–4Erik KochDecision (Unanimous)35:00Sep 17, 2011UFC Fight Night: Shields vs. EllenbergerNew Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Win12–3Michael JohnsonDecision (Unanimous)35:00Dec 04, 2010UFC: The Ultimate Fighter 12 FinaleLas Vegas, Nevada, USA
Win11–3Yosdenis CedenoDecision (Unanimous)35:00Feb 04, 2010G-Force Fights: Bad Blood 3Hollywood, California, USA
Win10–3Luis PalominoSubmission (RNC)21:44Sep 26, 2009G-Force Fights: Bad Blood 2Hollywood, California, USA
Win9–3Stephen LedbetterSubmission (RNC)13:32Apr 03, 2009Bellator Fighting Championships 1Uncasville, Connecticut, USA
Loss8–3Jose AldoTKO (Punches)30:45Nov 05, 2008WEC 36: Faber vs. BrownHollywood, California, USA
Win8–2Jose SantibanezSubmission (RNC)12:07Jul 18, 2008South Coast PromotionsSanta Ana, California, USA
Loss7–2Greg LoughranDecision (Split)35:00Mar 29, 2008Cage Warriors FC USA: Battle RoyaleStockport, England
Win7–1Jose FigueroaSubmission (Guillotine)12:47Dec 01, 2007WEF: King of the StreetsLas Vegas, Nevada, USA
Win6–1Donald BrookTKO (Punches)10:35Nov 03, 2007Harmful Intent Promotions 2Tampa, Florida, USA
Win5–1Yves JabouinTKO (Elbows)23:35Jun 30, 2007Ultimate Warrior Challenge 2Fairfax, Virginia, USA
Loss4–1Harris SarmientoDecision (Unanimous)35:00May 19, 2007Shakedown: Maui vs. OahuKaneohe, Hawaii, USA
Win4–0Sean BartlettTKO (Punches)14:05Feb 17, 2007Combat Fighting Championship 3Fallon, Nevada, USA
Win3–0Ryan NakamuraSubmission (RNC)11:09Sep 23, 2006Combat Fighting Championship 2Fallon, Nevada, USA
Win2–0York AshSubmission (Guillotine)13:58Aug 11, 2006Full Throttle 8Fallon, Nevada, USA
Win1–0Allen BerubeKO (Punch)10:19Jul 15, 2006Combat Fighting Championship 1Fallon, Nevada, USA

References

  1. https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Jonathan-Brookins-17316
  2. https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/2494735/jonathan-brookins
  3. https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/history/_/id/2494735/jonathan-brookins
  4. http://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/b0a6124751a56bc4
  5. https://www.flocombat.com/articles/6630806-the-journey-of-jonathan-brookins
  6. https://www.mmafighting.com/2013/12/24/5223630/jonathan-brookins-india-journey-profile-ufc
  7. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1783037/2020/04/29/where-is-jonathan-brookins-the-ultimate-fighter/
  8. https://ethnicelebs.com/jonathan-brookins
  9. https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/jonathan-brookins.html
  10. https://www.ufc.com/news/brookins-finally-ready-move-forward
  11. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2010/06/fight-path-after-rocky-childhood-jonathan-brookins-found-unlikely-inspiration-in-krazy-horse
  12. https://www.osaa.org/docs/wre/records/championsthrough2006.pdf
  13. https://www.ufc.com/news/lindenwood-university-wrestling-ufc-pipeline-ufc-fight-pass-read
  14. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/jonathan-brookins
  15. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/14329-shakedown-maui-vs-oahu-harris-the-hitman-sarmiento-vs-jonathan-brookins
  16. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/464178a22a436f11
  17. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/2181-wec-36-jos-aldo-junior-vs-jonathan-brookins
  18. https://www.sherdog.com/events/BFC-Bellator-Fighting-Championships-1-9708
  19. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/3096-bellator-1-jonathan-brookins-vs-stephen-ledbetter
  20. https://www.sherdog.com/events/GForce-Fights-Bad-Blood-2-11084
  21. https://www.sherdog.com/events/GForce-Fights-Bad-Blood-3-12510
  22. https://www.ufc.com/news/ultimate-fighter-12-cast-announced
  23. https://www.ufc.com/news/tuf-12-episode-five-recap
  24. https://www.sportsnet.ca/more/tuf-koscheck/
  25. https://www.ufc.com/event/TUF12-Finale
  26. https://www.mmamania.com/2010/12/6/1858626/ufc-fighter-salaries-and-paydays-for-the-ultimate-fighter-tuf-12
  27. https://www.ufc.com/news/brookins-drops-bombs-ufc-fuel-tv-prelim-results
  28. https://www.ufc.com/news/tuf-live-finale-main-card-results
  29. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/e88c59ad88e9dc27
  30. https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-Veteran-Jonathan-Brookins-Cuts-to-Flyweight-Faces-Cody-Fuller-in-March-LFC-Debut-62615
  31. https://www.mmamania.com/2012/12/20/3789960/broke-jonathan-brookins-lost-belief-in-fighting-and-himself-headed
  32. https://bloodyelbow.com/2014/09/03/beyond-the-octagon-former-ufc-jeff-monson-tuf-winner-brookins-mma-news/
  33. https://www.mmafighting.com/2014/1/24/5343526/tuf-winner-jonathan-brookins-drops-to-flyweight-signs-with-legacy-fc
  34. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2014/03/legacy-fc-29-video-highlights-dennis-takes-title-brookins-back-on-track
  35. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/147459-legacy-fc-34-austin-lyons-vs-jonathan-brookins
  36. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/161959-pancrase-262-jonathan-brookins-vs-shintaro-ishiwatari
  37. https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/TUF-12-Winner-Brookins-Rematches-Ishiwatari-for-BW-Crown-at-Pancrase-279-Title-Doubleheader-105079
  38. https://www.ufc.com/news/wait-over-jonathan-brookins
  39. https://www.graciemag.com/marcio-simas-proud-of-jonathan-brookins/
  40. https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Brookins-Outlasts-Johnson-to-Take-TUF-12-Crown-28567
  41. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1446439-tuf-16-finale-results-power-ranking-the-stoppages-from-vegas
  42. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-work-with-jonathan-brookins/id1505541539
  43. https://www.ufc.com/athlete/jonathan-brookins
  44. https://www.ufc.com/news/brookins-talented-work-progress
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.