A duo of "The Ultimate Fighter" finalists have been given their next assignment.
TUF 12 winner Jonathan Brookins will meet Vagner Rocha in a featherweight contest at UFC on Fuel TV 1. Brookins' original opponent, Rani Yahya, was removed from the card with an injury. Rocha was initially slated to fight Mike Brown at UFC on FX 1, however Brown was also scratched from the bout with an injury.
In addition, TUF 14 runner-up T.J. Dillashaw has agreed to face bantamweight up-and-comer Walel Watson at the February event. UFC officials confirmed the pairings on Thursday.
A 26-year-old submission ace, Brookins (12-4) has his sights set on rebounding after a narrow decision loss to Erik Koch snapped a four-fight win streak that ultimately landed him in the UFC. Across the cage, 29-year-old Rocha (7-2) makes his featherweight debut after stopping Cody McKenzie via second-round rear-naked choke in September.
Meanwhile, former Division I standout Dillashaw (4-1) hopes to recover after being on the receiving end of a stunning two-minute smashing from John Dodson at The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale. He'll take on Watson (9-3), a 27-year-old prospect sporting a TKO win over Joseph Sandoval and split decision loss to Yves Jabouin in his short UFC career.
UFC on Fuel TV 1 is slated for February 15th in Omaha, Nebraska. Welterweight contenders Jake Ellenberger and Diego Sanchez square off in the night's main event.
UFC on Fuel TV 1 fight card:
Welterweight: Diego Sanchez vs. Jake Ellenberger
Heavyweight: Stefan Struve vs. Dave Herman
Middleweight: Aaron Simpson vs. Ronny Markes
Bantamweight: Ivan Menjivar vs. John Albert
Heavyweight: Philip De Fries vs. Stipe Miocic
Featherweight: Jonathan Brookins vs. Vagner Rocha
Bantamweight: T.J. Dillashaw vs. Walel Watson