Press Release
New York, NY, December 2, 2010 – The finals are set for “The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck” as Georges St- Pierre’s first two fighter selections, Michael “The Menace” Johnson and Jonathan Brookins, will battle it out for a six-figure contract with the preeminent mixed martial arts organization in the world, The Ultimate Fighting Championship®. Emanating from The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, NV, the finale will be telecast LIVE on Spike TV Saturday, December 4 at 9:00 PM ET.
For finalist Michael Johnson (8-4), the third time proved to be a charm as the 24-year-old Springfield, MO, native was successfully cast on the show following two previous attempts. Johnson did not spoil the opportunity, becoming the #1 overall selection in the competition after defeating Pablo Garza via unanimous decision in the season premiere. Johnson next took on Aaron Wilkinson and overwhelmed the Brit on the ground to earn a third round submission via rear naked choke. In the quarters Johnson routed house nemesis Alex “Bruce Leroy” Caceres in a two round unanimous decision and then defeated Nam Phan in the semifinals in a three round war to punch his ticket into the finals. The former standout wrestler and running back at Marquette High School in St. Louis trains out of the Springfield Fight Club.
Fighting out of Orlando, FL, Jonathan Brookins (11-2) is familiar with the spotlight, having already fought one of the world’s pound-for-pound best fighters in UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo. Since losing to Aldo in November 2008, the 24-year-old Oregon state high school wrestling champion has rattled off seven consecutive wins, including four decisive victories while on the show. Following a two-round unanimous decision win over Ran Weathers in the premiere episode, Brookins made quick work of both Sevak Magakian and Sako Chivitchian with first round rear naked choke submissions before defeating Kyle Watson by decision in the semifinals.
Spike TV will telecast the first UFC fight in the newly added featherweight division (145 lbs) as Leonard Garcia (14-6-1) takes on “The Ultimate Fighter 12” semifinalist Nam Phan (16-7). The bout kicks off the live “The Ultimate Fighter 12” finale fight card.
Garcia, who trains with the renowned Jackson Submission Fighting, is a native of Lubbock, TX. The 31 year-old has participated in some of the most memorable mixed martial bouts over the last few years. Garcia made a memorable debut in the UFC with a three-round war, ending in a decision loss to Roger Huerta at UFC 69, in April 2007. A photo from their hotly-contested fight graced the cover of Sports Illustrated that week. Garcia dropped down in weight-class and fought and defeated former UFC champ, Jens Pulver, in a WEC featherweight bout in November 2008. In a fight for the title, Garcia lost to Mike Brown via submission in the first round at WEC 39 in March 2009. In April, 2010 at WEC 48, he won an epic three decision over Chan Sung Jung (“The Korean Zombie”) in what UFC announcer Joe Rogan hailed as “the best fight I’ve seen in my life.”
Fighting out of Westminster, CA at the Madu Academy which he owns, Phan was a standout performer on season 12 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” Proud to be UFC’s first Vietnamese fighter, Phan made it to the semifinals of the popular weekly series before losing to Michael Johnson.
Headlining the Spike TV card will be the previously announced bout of UFC light heavyweights Igor Pokrajac (22-7) and “The Ultimate Fighter 1” alum Stephan “The American Psycho” Bonnar (15-7). In addition, “The Ultimate Fighter 3” alum Kendall “Da Spyder” Grove (14-7, 1 NC) will battle former number one contender Demian Maia (13-2) in a middleweight bout, while Rick “The Horror” Story takes on Johny Hendricks in a welterweight contest.
Other matches on the fight card include (might air time permitting):
• David Branch (7-1) vs. Rich Attonito (9-3)
• Pablo Garza (9-1) vs. Fredson Paixio (10-3, 1 NC)
• Nick Pace (5-1) vs. Will Campuzano (8-2)
• Kyle Watson (15-6-1) vs. Sako Chivitchian (5-0)
• Ian Loveland (13-7) vs. Tyler Toner (11-2)
• Aaron Wilkinson (6-3) vs. Cody McKenzie (11-0)
Last night’s episode of “The Ultimate Fighter” featuring Michael Johnson vs. Nam Phan and Jonathan Brookins vs. Kyle Watson can be seen in its entirety Friday, December 3rd on ultimatefighter.com.