On August 10, 2010, Bellator Fighting Championships filed a suit against Brookins' new employer, the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Bellator's allegation was that Brookins had joined the Spike TV reality series The Ultimate Fighter while still under an exclusive contract for Bellator.
Brookins and his manager Mickey Dubberley were also named as
defendants in the suit. Bellator's lawsuit requests "exemplary damages
on the counts of tortious interference with contract, tortious
interference with prospective economic advantage, breach of contract
(against Brookins), fraud, business information misrepresentation and
fraudulent concealment."[11]
Later that day, Brookins' manager Dubberley denied claims that
Brookins was under contract and that they had faked injury to Brookins.
Dubberley claimed that Brookins had been verbally released from
Bellator and stated "We [Brookins and Dubberley] believe the only
reason why Bellator is pursuing anything is because Jonathan is on the
'TUF 12' show, and they want to capitalize for their own profit.
Brookins was expected to face John Makdessi on April 30, 2011 at UFC 129, but Brookins was pulled from the bout and replaced by Kyle Watson
Brookins is expected to face Jeremy Stephens on June 4, 2011 at The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale.