The intriguing featherweight matchup between The Ultimate Fighter season 12 winner Jonathan Brookins and the dangerous Erik Koch is a fight that should be receiving more attention—it may well decide who a future contender to the featherweight title will be.
Jonathan Brookins is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt and is 12-3 in MMA, with his highest profile loss being to current UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo.
Erik Koch is a scrappy fighter who trains out of the Roufusport gym in Wisconsin under the tutelage of famed Muay Thai trainer Duke Roufus along with other notable fighters such as Anthony Pettis and Pat Barry.
This fight is quite important for the still-developing featherweight division because the winner of this fight will almost certainly be placed into the upper echelon of the division with a victory.
So who will come out on top? How will the fight play out?
Koch will make short work of Brookins.
While Brookins is skilled on the ground, his wrestling is a bit deficient and his striking his absolutely full of holes. He also has a tendency to keep his chin up in the air with his head stationary, all the while moving straight back when attacked.
Koch, a skilled and heavy-handed striker with adequate takedown defense, will be able to shrug off Brookins’ takedowns and land numerous shots due to Brookins’ poor striking habits. Koch will pick Brookins apart until he earns a (T)KO or a unanimous decision victory, with the former being the more likely occurrence then the latter.
Bleacher Report’s Matthew Saccaro