Former Bellator lightweight champion Will Brooks has inked a deal with the UFC.
Brooks will make his Octagon debut against Ross Pearson at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale on July 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, according to UFC officials.
RELATED > Bellator Cuts Lightweight Champ Will Brooks
Brooks replaces James Krause, who withdrew from the bout with Pearson. In the TUF 23 Finale main event, Joanna Jedrzejczyk defends her UFC women’s strawweight title against Claudie Gadelha.
Brooks (18-1) was released by Bellator despite holding the promotion’s 155-pound title and defending it twice in the midst of an eight-fight winning streak. He didn’t appear to be happy fighting for Bellator, so with his contract expiring, Bellator opted to release him in early May. The UFC moved swiftly to put him on the July 8 fight card.
Pearson (19-10, 1 NC) has been fighting for the UFC for the past seven years. Always a fan favorite, he has had trouble establishing championship momentum, alternating between wins and losses for the past few years.
