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[Sakara=Excitement]

Jonathan Brookins looks to return at UFC Fight Night 25

After injuries pulled him out of his first bookings since winning "The Ultimate Fighter 12" in 2010, Jonathan Brookins finally has a date scheduled for his return.

He also has a new weight class.

The former WEC fighter and fan favorite told MMAjunkie.com Radio (MMAjunkie.com Radio | MMAjunkie.com) he's got a spot on September's UFC Fight Night 25 event in New Orleans, and he's looking to make his return to 145 pounds at the show.

A venue hasn't been announced for the Spike TV-televised card, but the date is set.

"Sept. 17," Brookins said. "I don't know exactly who I'm fighting, but they said that's when I'm fighting."

And Brookins (12-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC), who won "TUF" as a lightweight, is returning to featherweight, a division in which he competed once in the WEC (and suffered a third-round TKO loss to now-champ Jose Aldo).

"I'm going to drop down to the 145-pound division," he said. "There, I think I can make the most fireworks. There are a lot of great fights there.

"I do kind of want to go after (Mark) Hominick and Aldo and those guys – not in a malicious way ... but those are the guys who really spark my interest."

Since his initial loss to Aldo, Brookins has won four consecutive pro fights. He also won four exhibition bouts on "TUF 12" before a victory over Michael Johnson at the show's live finale back in December.

Brookins had been scheduled for returns at UFC 129 (against John Makdessi) and this weekend's TUF 13 Finale event (against Jeremy Stephens), but a broken orbital halted those plans. Brookins said it wasn't anything especially serious and that it affected "the bottom floor of my eye and caught up some nerves and stuff." He was able to do most of his training, but the injury would "tease" him and make itself known at sporadic times.

But expecting to be fully healthy by September, he's anticipating a return to featherweight, and – possibly – a rematch with Aldo sometime down the line.

[Bearded Big Country]

eh, im not a fan of this since it seems like a weight change is way too early for him. He won TUF as a lightweight and hes jumping down already? :/

[CtGreat]

I think the vast majority of people that win TUF move down in weight. Whats the point in having a season of only lightweights, if they are all just going to move down to featherweight??

[Chute_Boxe44]

Brookins was originally feather weight and only recently moved up to light weight (similar to Danzig when he won). I think he'd be much more effective moving down honestly given his style.

[TBEAR]

Originally Posted by Chute_Boxe44

Brookins was originally feather weight and only recently moved up to light weight (similar to Danzig when he won). I think he'd be much more effective moving down honestly given his style.

I agree he will be better at at 145

[The Sword]

Originally Posted by CtGreat

I think the vast majority of people that win TUF move down in weight. Whats the point in having a season of only lightweights, if they are all just going to move down to featherweight??

Think about it. In the tuf house you can sometimes have 2 fight in a week. do you know how hard it would be to cut that weight 2 times in a week. alot of the fighter don't go in to the TUF house at their weight class. look at k-flow his show was 185.

[ckauffman28]

Grispi would be a good first opponent, on a bit of a skid but did real well in the wec

[Sniggles]

Originally Posted by The Sword

Think about it. In the tuf house you can sometimes have 2 fight in a week. do you know how hard it would be to cut that weight 2 times in a week. alot of the fighter don't go in to the TUF house at their weight class. look at k-flow his show was 185.

You are absolutely correct. These fighters on TUF compete at their natural weight class so.that they dont have to constantly cut weight. The ones who dont are the ones you see getting locked in the steam room by Chuck Liddel. Haha. Weight cutting is hard enough on your body. But dropping in weight for 4 fights would be insane and stupid.

[cnlclink]

Brookins...you going down and wanting to fight Aldo or Hominick is not going to work out well. MacDonald hit you pretty much at will and only lost that fight because he gassed...guess what, Aldo and esp Hominick are NOT going to gas out and they will tko you to the moon. I still think that Jeremy Stephens would have re-arranged Brookins face had Brookins not been injured.

Best of luck to him but down in 145 he'd really better learn how to keep his chin tucked.