Bonnar versus Pokrajac for TUF 12 Finale in December

Season one finalist of the famed “The Ultimate Fighter” series, Stephan Bonnar will return to the finale show that has brought him infamy amongst his peers in the world of mixed martial arts.

The long time UFC competitor splits his record inside the octagon at a pedestrian 6-6–though his losses have come to tough competition such as Forrest Griffin, Jon Jones, and Rashad Evans to name a few.

Prior to his last bout, the Las Vegas native had gone on a three-fight losing streak in the UFC. While returning from an extended lay off due to injury, Bonnar became Jon Jones’ inception into the big time, where at UFC 94: St Pierre vs. Penn 2, Stephan lost a lopsided decision to the 205-spitfire.

Following his loss to Jones, Bonnar trended in a loss once again to another talented, though a succumbing to age, wrestler: Mark Coleman. The fight largely showed case Bonnar’s inability to defend the take down, which was also on display in fights with the aforementioned Jones and most notably with former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans.

Bonnar suffered an additional loss to Krzysztof Soszynski, though in controversial fashion. After a back and forth two rounds at UFC 110, “The Polish Experiment” accidentally clashed heads with his fellow TUF veteran, opening a cut that was deemed fight ending, and Bonnar picked up his third-straight loss. Bonnar attempted to appeal the decision, but The Combat Sports Authority of New South Wales, which was prompted to oversee the UFC 110 event in Sydney, Australia deemed the appeal inadmissible.

The 33-year-old returned to his winning ways, when in his rematch with Krsysztof at UFC 116 last July, Bonnar was able to put a definitive end to the bout, blasting the Team Quest fighter with a knee to the head, followed his downed opponent with punches and bunches, and the fight was stopped midway through the second round.

Bonnar will now try to go two in a row inside the cage when he meets Croation, Igor Pokrajac. The 31-year-old who hails from Zagreb and is part of the Croation Top Team is on the heels of his first win inside the UFC, after succumbing to a two-fight losing streak inside the octagon to notables Vladimir Matyushenko in his debut at UFC 103, then to James Te-Huna at UFC 110 in Australia.

Igor defeated the hot-and-cold James Irvin by way of rear naked choke in his last UFC appearance at “UFC Live: Jones vs Matyushenko” last August–inside of the first round, picking up his first win in three tries in the worlds biggest promotion.

News of the proposed match-up was first reported by ESPN’s: MMA Live show, anchored by the smooth Jon Anik.

“The Ultimate Fighter” 12 finale will be the culmination of a season shared by welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre and top contender Josh Koscheck. The two are expected to meet for GSP’s 170-pound title at UFC 124, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada at the Bell Centre.

The TUF 12 finale is expected to take place on December 4th, at the Palms Casino Resort, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bonnar would decidedly have the home field advantage, though the TUF veteran is well traveled and endeared by many.

So, how do you, the MMA community, feel about the 205 match up? Bonnar should be the decided favorite, though Pokrajac should not be overlooked. Lets your opinions heard below.