UFC on Fuel 1 Update: Brookins vs. Rocha, Dillashaw vs. Watson Added
by Scott Haber on Jan 6, 2012 10:37 AM EST
in UFC News
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Featherweights, Jonathan Brookins and Vagner Rocha, both found themselves in need of new opponents after seeing their previously scheduled foes (Rani Yahya for Brookins and Mike Brown for Rocha) bow out due to injury. Seeing the simple solution here, the UFC decided to match up Brookins and Rocha for the UFC on Fuel 1 card in Omaha on February 15th. Additionally, TUF 14 bantamweight runner-up, T.J. Dillashaw will face Walel Watson on the same card:
UFC on@FUELTV in Omaha gets@TJDillashaw vs.@135Gazelle Watson and@j_brookins vs.@Vagner_Rocha ... shall we go on?
Brookins and Rocha shouldn't have to change up their strategies too much as their previous opponents possessed similar skill-sets, with Rocha's BJJ-centric style similar to that of Yahya, and Brookins employing a strong, top-control based wrestling game like Mike Brown (although Brown has much better striking than Brookins...one less thing for Rocha to worry about).
Dillashaw was an early favorite to win his season of TUF in the bantamweight division and he did make it all the way to the finals, but a well-placed left hook from John Dodson turned off Dillashaw's lights and his hopes of becoming a TUF champion. Nonetheless, Dillashaw has the skill-set and the training at Team Alpha Male to give many bantamweights, fits. Watson is coming off a razor-thin split decision loss to Yves Jabouin at UFC 140 in a bout that many fans scored in favor of Watson. It was no consolation to "The Gazelle" though and he clearly wanted to get back in action as soon as possible to look for a more decisive victory.
The UFC on Fuel 1 card now includes:
-Diego Sanchez vs. Jake Ellenberger
-Stefan Struve vs. Dave Herman
-Stipe Miocic vs. Philip De Fries
-Jonathan Brookins vs. Vagner Rocha
-T.J. Dillashaw vs. Walel Watson
-Ivan Menjivar vs. John Albert
-Aaron Simpson vs. Ronny Markes
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good fights
Rocha by sub 2nd round and Watson by decision. Just not impressed with tj and brookins is just outmatched here.
by benten20 on Jan 6, 2012 10:46 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I see it the opposite...TJ via UD and Brookins via UD
If Watson wins, I think he’ll do it by submission. Due to his size, TJ won’t strike with him on the feet, and Dillashaw will keep him on his back to ride out a decision. I suppose Walel could threaten enough subs from the bottom to win, but it so rarely gets awarded by the judges, I think he needs to stop TJ to win.
Brookins will have a big size advantage on Vagner, and he will toss him about the cage and wall n’ stall him to a decision.
It’s not that these guys don’t want to finish, but it’s just prudent game planning to take away your opponents strength, and with strong wrestlers like TJ and Brookins, that means a risk free UD victory.
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tj got handled on the feet
By dodson. I know Watson is a different type if fighter but considering he hasn’t used his wrestling against any good competition yet, I don’t think he will be able to avoid the standup. Rocha can pull off the sub I think.
by benten20 on Jan 6, 2012 3:33 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Not a fan of Dillashaw's personality, but I am even less of a fan of Dodson.
Too bad he lost. Waiting for someone to wipe Dodson’s goofy smile off his face…
"You've got Floyd Mayweather making $25 million. He can't stop a double-leg..." Nick Diaz.
is it just me
or is that a pretty good card for fuel. pleasantly surprised I am ummm
He knows the guy with the bandage on his ass is going no were. Were you going fucking no were
by Elstriko on Jan 6, 2012 12:45 PM EST via Android app reply actions
yeah it's pretty solid
only matchupt I don’t care for is Mirko Bisping vs. Philip de Fries.
Greatly looking forward to the return of Rocha. He had an excellent fight against Shields, then he just disappeared.
"Referees, be sure to step in and stop the fight on time tomorrow, because I might get carried away in the moment and my many punches may end up destroying my opponent." - Tatsuya "CRUSHER" Kawajiri
Are you thinking of Carlos Eduardo Rocha?
Vagner is the Rocha fighting on this card and he never disappeared, nor has he ever fought Shields. Carlos Eduardo Rocha never fought Shields either, but he has been off the radar, recovering from elbow surgery.
Darn, I just came back to confirm that suspicion. Yes, I was thinking of Carlos Eduardo Rocha and Jake Ellenberger. Looks like I not only confused my “Jakes” but also my “Rochas”.
"Referees, be sure to step in and stop the fight on time tomorrow, because I might get carried away in the moment and my many punches may end up destroying my opponent." - Tatsuya "CRUSHER" Kawajiri
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