It’s been a long time coming for “Ill Will” Brooks.
Back in May, it was revealed that Brooks had been released from his Bellator contract despite holding the promotion’s lightweight title at the time. While not exactly a shock given Brooks’ very public clashes with the promotion in recent months, it was still surprising to see that Bellator would be willing to let their champion and a man on an 8-fight win streak go in favor of, I dunno, guys like this.
According to Bellator President Scott Coker, however, “It was very simple.”
“Will Brooks’ contract is ending, and we made a decision not to renew it. We’re going to give him a full release, so we’re not going to be in the Will Brooks business any longer,” said Coker to MMAjunkie.
Insightful stuff. Anyways, many of us imagined that it’d only be a matter of time until Brooks signed with the UFC, and last night, it was announced that he’d done just that.
UFC officials have announced that Brooks has in fact signed a six-fight deal with the UFC, and better yet, will face tough-as-nails veteran and TUF 9 winner Ross Pearson at the TUF 23 Finale next month.
As we mentioned earlier, Brooks will be carrying an eight-fight winning streak into the matchup with Pearson, which includes a pair of title defenses over the likes of Dave Jansen and Marcin Held at Bellator 136 and 145, respectively. Pearson, on the other hand, will be looking to secure his first two-fight streak since 2013, having recently scored a split decision victory over Chad Laprise at Fight Night 85 in March.
We now go to the man himself, Will Brooks, for comment…
The TUF 23 Finale goes down on July 8th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
The post Will Brooks Signs With UFC, Faces Ross Pearson at the TUF 23 Finale appeared first on Cagepotato.