TUF 12 Semifinals Set: Kyle Watson vs. Jonathan Brookins, Michael Johnson vs. Nam Phan

by Nick Thomas on Nov 18, 2010 10:13 AM EST in UFC News

"With my win over Aaron Wilkinson, I felt a little bit of validation. ... Now that the semifinals were next, I was feeling good and could see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, there was still a big hurdle for me to overcome named Jonathan Brookins. Once you are down to the final four, there are no easy fights. But it was still comforting to think one more fight and I'm in the finals." -- Kyle Watson talks to MMA Junkie

"I had taken (Alex "Bruce Leroy" Caceres) down so many times and stayed in a dominant position that I was sure I would get the decision. I felt real good (matching up against Nam Phan). I felt confident that my stand-up was better than his and I was confident that that was a fight where I could show everybody what I could do." -- Michael Johnson talks to MMA Fighting

Join us at BloodyElbow.com on Wednesday, Dec. 1st for a special 2 hour episode of the The Ultimate Fighter 12 at 9:00 p.m. ET.

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Watson vs Brookins is the real Finale

Winner of that fight beats the winner of Nam/Johnson easily.

by Spider_Vemon on Nov 18, 2010 10:24 AM EST reply actions

Right, but it’ll end up being Brookins v. Phan

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by Keren on Nov 18, 2010 10:26 AM EST up reply actions

I think so.

by truck on Nov 18, 2010 10:30 AM EST up reply actions

yeah im torn on the johnson vs phan fight. My logic tells me Phan is the superior fighter but I really want Johnson to win.

by Spider_Vemon on Nov 18, 2010 10:59 AM EST up reply actions

I felt real good (matching up against Nam Phan). I felt confident that my stand-up was better than his.

Not so sure about that. More power, but not better technique.

by truck on Nov 18, 2010 10:31 AM EST reply actions

His best best is to take Nam down and hold him down. Johnson has a shitload of power behind his punches but it leaves him vulnerable and it gasses him out fairly early. In Nam’s last fight I could see his wrestling, above all else, needs to be worked on. I see Nam vs Brookins for the finale which will be a hell of a fight.

by budgellism on Nov 18, 2010 10:44 AM EST up reply actions

Johnson has a ton of potential.

His take downs and athleticism are very impressive. He hits hard too. He needs to learn to be more patient though. He wastes a ton of energy everywhere. He is the kind of fighter that Greg Jackson could help in a big way. I wonder if he will use his team GSP connections to his advantage from here on out.

by truck on Nov 18, 2010 12:00 PM EST up reply actions

they're not having it on Nov 24

skipping a week to Dec 1

If he wants to run across the pitcher's mound, tell him to go do laps in the bullpen - pepe

by closetasfan on Nov 18, 2010 10:32 AM EST reply actions

Thanks updated.

by Nick Thomas on Nov 18, 2010 10:41 AM EST up reply actions

will it be like season 10

and air the episodes in Australia a week before the US because of our Thanksgiving Holiday and the results leak to the internet?

by Spider_Vemon on Nov 18, 2010 11:00 AM EST up reply actions

Brookins is a beast

but Watson’s underrated, i think. i was listening to him corner last night, and the guy seems to know what he’s talking about. of course people who can coach =/= people who can perform.

i’m kind of rooting for Nam Phan in the other fight, despite who his coach is.

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by bobthewriter on Nov 18, 2010 10:42 AM EST reply actions

Watson is blogging at MMAJunkie

I guess we all know what the means… ;-)

by William Wilson on Nov 18, 2010 10:45 AM EST reply actions

*Spoiler

I was looking forward to finding out who won tonight because I couldn’t watch last night. Thanks for the spoiler

by Lallo Vigil on Nov 18, 2010 10:51 AM EST reply actions

good job on visiting an mma blog after the episode airs.

that’s a sure fire way to avoid spoilers.

by kanodogg on Nov 18, 2010 10:59 AM EST up reply actions 6 recs

You're welcome. Thanks for thinking MMA websites don't reveal results after each event.

by Spider_Vemon on Nov 18, 2010 11:01 AM EST up reply actions

Bruce Willis was dead the whole time

And Rosebud was a sled.

BOOSH

by Farthammer on Nov 18, 2010 11:18 AM EST up reply actions

Soylent Green is people!

"Although detractors decry it as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally f***ing awesome form of human cockfighting"

by SchruteBoxe on Nov 18, 2010 11:52 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

42

by Rufford on Nov 18, 2010 3:55 PM EST up reply actions

Brookins

is going to win.

by dribblebib on Nov 18, 2010 12:15 PM EST reply actions

Watson has such a deficiency in the standup that I don’t think that he’ll win this. I can see Johnson winning with his wrestling, but he doesn’t seem that good at keeping his opponent down. I feel that Nam has better standup than Johnson. I think Brookins is going to take the whole thing.

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by chrisbboy82 on Nov 18, 2010 1:15 PM EST reply actions

I'm a huge Nam Phan phan (oh snap he just did)

I didn’t think M Johnson would have a shot at winning, but after seeing his fight against JZ Cavalcante, and seeing how McKenzie held Phan down so easily until Cody got gassed out, I think Johnson COULD lay and pray to a decision win or catch Phan on his back with a solid punch.
But yea, I definitely hope it’s Brookins vs Phan

by djfivenine on Nov 18, 2010 1:26 PM EST reply actions

I said it in the beginning that Brookins was gonna win and i am still going with that. The only reason why i picked him was because of the Aldo fight i thought he did well against him. Brookins is a beast. O town baby!

by J smooth 420 on Nov 18, 2010 4:20 PM EST reply actions

Brookins is going to win this season. Watson has great ground game but Brookins is much better standing and is a very tough guy. After watching his fight with Jose Aldo I’ve definitely got him to win the season.

My bet is Brookins V Johnson at the finale. Nam Phan is technically better but I think Johnson can bully him with his strength and wrestling and pound out another decision.

by Roa on Nov 18, 2010 6:05 PM EST reply actions