That's a pretty tough first fight in the UFC. Brown's no joke.
I thought they'd feed him a can or two at first, especially with his first bout being in Britain...doesn't look that way.
In his first fight since winning the welterweight crown on "The Ultimate Fighter 9," James Wilks (6-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) is expected to face fast-rising 170-pounder Matt Brown (9-7 MMA, 3-1 UFC) in October at UFC 105.
A source close to the event told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) the bout is "close to finalized" and that bout agreements could be signed shortly.
UFC 105 takes place Nov. 14 at the Manchester Evening News Arena in Manchester, England, and the Wilks vs. Brown fight is expected to be part of the Spike TV-televised (tape delay) main card.
Wilks, a member of Team U.K. on the latest season of "TUF," is a British-born fighter who now trains out of California. On the reality show, he defeated Che Mills and Frank Lester (twice) before submitting fellow finalist DaMarques Johnson at The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale in June.
Wilks has now won four consecutive pro fights (and seven bouts overall) heading into the likely fight with Brown.
However, while most "TUF" winners are eased into competition after winning the reality show, Wilks would face a very stern test with one of the UFC's biggest surprises. Brown, an Ohio native who entered the seventh season of "TUF" as a journeyman fighter with a 6-6 pro record, posted a series of solid performances before he was knocked out of the semifinals by eventual show winner Amir Sadollah.
Brown, though, has since revamped his training camp and has posted a 3-1 record (with three stoppage victories) in the UFC. His lone loss came to undefeated Dong Hyun Kim via close split decision in September.
Brown spoke to MMAjunkie.com last week about a fundraiser for his father, who recently was diagnosed with and is suffering from complications related to acute myeloid leukemia. (Learn how to donate to the James Brown Medical Fund.) Brown, who was slated to fight in June before opponent Anthony Johnson suffered an injury and was forced out of the bout, could not comment on his next fight but said he hoped to return to the octagon before year's end.
