The UFC’s lightweight division just got even more exciting with the addition of former Bellator lightweight champion Will Brooks, and the man in question couldn’t be happier with his latest career move.
“I just want to take time out to thank everybody for their support,” an emotional Brooks said in a video posted on Instagram. “My family, friends, teammates, coaches, the fans of MMA, the media, all the people that have shown me unrelenting support through all my process, through all ups and downs, that have never backed down and left my side. We’ve still got work to do. We’re not done yet.”
It was announced yesterday that Brooks will be making his UFC debut against British veteran and Ultimate Fighter season nine winner Ross Pearson at the TUF 23 Finale on July 8th. The event will take place during this year’s UFC International Fight Week – perhaps the most hectic and media-heavy week on the MMA calendar.
Brooks parted ways with Bellator after his contract ended and the Viacom-owned promotion chose not to re-sign the fighter – largely due to his very public dissatisfaction with the company. In leaving Bellator he vacated the 155lb title, which will be contested between Michael Chandler – the man Brooks beat for the belt – and Patricky Freire at Bellator 157 on June 24th.
With names like Nate Diaz, Donald Cerrone, Khabib Nurmagomedov and, of course, current champ Rafael dos Anjos all in the UFC lightweight rankings, there are plenty of exciting fights to be had for the Bellator champ and fans are very much looking forward to seeing what Brooks can do against such high-level opponents.
