Will Brooks Signs Deal With UFC, Will Fight At TUF 23 Finale

Will Brooks

Former Bellator lightweight champion Will Brooks has reportedly inked a deal to join the UFC’s already star-studded 155-pound division, and according to MMAJunkie, ‘Ill Will’ will make his UFC debut at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 23 Finale this July 8 against Ross Pearson.

Brooks appears to be extremely excited to fight for the sport’s most distinguished promotion, as his reaction was captured in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz_ljULKC-k

Brooks (18-1) is on a head-turning eight-fight win streak not having lost since February of 2013. His most recent cage appearance saw him successfully retaining his Bellator 155-pound strap against Marcin Held at Bellator 145 last November.

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‘Ill Will’ was later released by the promotion, being forced to vacate his longtime lightweight crown, and allowed to test the free-agency market. Bellator President Scott Coker had this to say on Brooks’ release:

“It was very simple,” he said. “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.”

Brooks’ inaugural opponent Pearson (19-10-1), has won three of his last five bouts, most recently taking home a split decision win over Chad Laprise at UFC Fight Night 85 in March. Pearson was originally scheduled to throw down with James Krause at the TUF 23 Finale; however, Krause was forced out of the bout for undisclosed reasons.

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The TUF 23 Finale takes place live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, live on FS1 on July 8, 2016. It will be headlined by a women’s strawweight championship bout between champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk and No. 1-ranked Claudia Gadelha.