A few months before the start of the promotion’s first season, PFL has a major addition to its lightweight division.
A former Bellator champion — turned UFC fighter — is headed to PFL.
Will Brooks announced Wednesday night in an Instagram post that he has been released by the UFC and has signed with Professional Fighters League (PFL) to compete in its upcoming $1 million tournament. It is presumed he will compete in the lightweight division.
“I’m extremely excited and fired up to be part of [PFL] and their rebirth,” Brooks wrote. “The timing is perfect because I’m in my own rebirth process as well. As always I’m going to represent this organization as professionally as I possibly can. I look forward to being a pivotal part of the PFL’s growth in this sport.”
Brooks became well known during his time with Bellator. The 31-year-old American Top Team athlete had a 10-fight run that lasted nearly three years with the Viacom-owned promotion. It included a stint as 155-pound champ; Brooks upset Michael Chandler in 2014 by split decision, then stopped “Iron” in a rematch later that year. Other high-profile Bellator wins included decisions over Marcin Held and Saad Awad.
In 2016, “Ill” Will was granted his Bellator release and signed with the UFC. He won his debut — a decision against Ross Pearson that July — but lost his next three fights to Alex Oliveira, Charles Oliveira, and, most recently, Nik Lentz.
“I didn’t do the job that was expected of me and like all jobs I was released, rightfully so,” Brooks wrote. “Unfortunately, I under performed with the UFC and didn’t achieve the goal I wanted to with that opportunity. I regret nothing, I took a chance at something I wanted and came up short. The fighter/competitor in me is highly disappointed with myself for allowing things to get away from me. The UFC chapter is closed for now.”
World Series of Fighting (WSOF) became PFL in 2017 after the promotion changed ownership. PFL plans to be the only promotion to present MMA as a “true sport,” with a regular season, playoffs and a championship handed out at the end of the year.
PFL’s first season will feature 72 fighters across six weight classes. The regular season is expected to begin June 7, with playoffs starting in October and championship matches on New Year’s Eve.