Tom Brink is a 30-year old fighter from Endicott, the same town in upstate New York that produced Jon Jones. Not much was known about him heading into his fight on Saturday, March 12, other than he had pretty good hands -- no Golden Gloves or anything, but a real gamer on the feet. That was the loose scouting report from a New England-based promoter named Jesse Camp, who booked Brink to appear on his Warrior Nation: XFA XII show in the Western Massachusetts town of Chicopee.
Brink, whom select few locals call "Dozer," showed up to the Hu Ke Lau -- a Polynesian food joint that doubles as a comedy club on most nights, a fight venue when needed -- carrying a 1-1 amateur record and smartly tapered expectations.