Featherweights Dustin Poirier and Jonathan Brookins opened up the main card of The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale. Both men were coming off losses in the 145-lb. division and were looking to get into the title picture with a victory.
When it was all said and done, the fight was a one-round barn burner that perfectly started off the main card on FX. Poirier walked away the winner, submitting Brookins with a d’arce choke.
What We’ll Remember About This Fight
For being just one round, that fight was fantastic. Both men threw heavy leather at one another, and for the most part took the punches well. Obviously, the finish was very memorable, as Poirier latched on the d’arce choke and squeezed the life out of Brookins. All in all, a very memorable one-round war.
What We Learned About Jonathan Brookins
Brookins is one tough dude, but he is having trouble getting to the next level. He is beating the guys he needs to, but falling to guys on the upper level of the division. He needs to go back to the drawing board and figure out how to move up a level in his career.
What We Learned About Dustin Poirier
Poirier is definitely a top-10 featherweight in the world. Despite faltering in his fight against Chan Sung Jung, he showed he was competitive. In his fight with Brookins, he took some damage, but continued to execute what he wanted to do. We also learned that his d’arce choke is nasty.
What’s Next for Brookins
Perhaps a meeting with another TUF veteran in Nam Phan, who is coming off a loss to Dennis Siver at UFC on Fox last weekend. Both guys are in dire need of a win, so this would be a make-or-break fight for both men.
What’s Next for Poirier
Many of the top featherweights are tied up for now with upcoming fights. Chad Mendes could use a dance partner, as he just defeated Yaotzin Meza on Friday. If not Mendes, a fight with Darren Elkins would work.
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