Will “Ill Will” Brooks (no relation to Phil “Possibly Will” Brooks) has found a new home after a brief period of free agency. You’ve probably sorted out where from the headline, but let’s keep going, shall we?
The former Bellator lightweight champ is headed to the UFC after being released (while still holding the title) from the organization, where he hadn’t suffered an L since February 2013. MMAJunkie reports that his first tilt in the Octagon will be next month at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale. The American Top Team affiliated fighter will square off against England’s Ross Pearson (19-10-0) on July 8 in Las Vegas, the first bout in a six-fight UFC deal. Pearson was originally slated to take on James Krause at the event, but Krause pulled out.
“This journey to get into the UFC began before I signed with Bellator [in 2013],” said Brooks in an interview with ESPN. “This started when I decided MMA was going to be my profession. This has been my plan since Day 1.”
That’s certainly a sensible plan for someone in Brooks’ line of work. In addition to serving up Brooks vs. Pearson, The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale boasts a headline bout between UFC Strawweight champ Joanna Jędrzejczyk and #1 contender Cláudia Gadelha. International Fight Week is gonna be a doozy.
(via MMAJunkie)