Will Brooks | Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
The lightweight standout also competed in PFL’s 2018 season and is now set to make his debut in the Afro-European promotion later this year.
Will Brooks is the latest fighter to join ARES FC’s ever-growing roster. The former Bellator lightweight champion has found a new home in the Afro-European promotion, who held their inaugural event in December.
Over the past few months, they have signed a number of notable names, including the likes of Wilson Reis, John Moraga and Nordine Taleb. ARES FC are also home to the massive Senegalese wrestling sensation, Reug Reug. This latest signing was announced by new ARES FC matchmaker, Alan Murphy, on Twitter during Sunday afternoon.
So I accepted a matchmaking role with ARES in Jan.
ARES2 in was cancelled due to COVID19.
Below was going to be the ARES2 card, this time in . However this is also now cancelled. #FlattenTheCurve
Among the new signings are former Bellator champ Will Brooks & Amanda Lino. pic.twitter.com/ZQs7a9ISiN
— Alan Murphy (@AlanMurphyMMA) March 29, 2020
Brooks (20-5-1) rose to fame with Bellator, capturing the promotion’s lightweight belt with a split decision win over Michael Chandler in 2014. He overcame Chandler once again in the immediate rematch, six months later—this time finishing his adversary by TKO in the fourth round. The American parted ways with Bellator as champion, after beating Dave Jansen and Marcin Held, to sign with the UFC in 2016.
Following a successful debut against Ross Pearson, ‘Ill Will’ was stopped in his subsequent three bouts, leading to his UFC release. Brooks competed in PFL’s 2018 lightweight season and made it to the quarter final stage after two decision victories. However, he was eliminated due to the organisation’s first round tiebreaker rule after drawing with Rashid Magomedov. Brooks last fought in July of 2019, suffering a first round submission defeat to Gleison Tibau in China.
ARES FC is aiming to develop MMA in France and Africa by holding regular shows in these territories. As a result, it is hoped the Vivendi-backed promotion will pave the way for the world’s biggest MMA companies to bring their events further down the line. That way, both the talent pool and viewing audience in the countries can be cultivated to allow the sport’s growth to continue for years to come.