How a short memory span helped UFC 210's Will Brooks get over first UFC loss

BUFFALO, N.Y. – For UFC lightweight Will Brooks, dwelling on a loss is a pointless endeavor – and one he chooses not to take part in.

Brooks (18-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) said the only way to truly move past a defeat is to get to the next fight. Brooks fell short against Alex Oliveira at UFC Fight Night 96 in October but said he’s not bringing any disappointment into Saturday’s UFC 210 fight with Charles Oliveira (21-7 MMA, 9-7 UFC).

“I’ve been conditioned to have a short memory,” Brooks told MMAjunkie. “You win, you lose, and you move forward. You have to have a short memory and be prepared to move forward and get ready for the next one – the next competition, the next fight. That’s just how I’ve been conditioned throughout my life from playing football, wrestling, anything.”

UFC 210 takes place at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y. Brooks vs. Oliveira opens the pay-per-view main card following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Brooks, No. 11 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA lightweight rankings, came into the UFC this past year after a successful run with Bellator, where he was a lightweight champion. His debut was a success; he beat Ross Pearson by unanimous decision at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale in July. His sophomore UFC effort, however, was not as smooth.

He fought “Cowboy” Oliveira at UFC Fight Night 96, and the Brazilian missed weight by more than five pounds. Brooks agreed to fight him anyway, but then things went south when he not only suffered a damaged rib, but suffered a third-round TKO.

Brooks set aside the frustration and instead chose to let it go and move forward. He enters Saturday’s fight with a clean mental slate, and he said that’s what’s necessary if he wants to beat “Do Bronx” Oliveira, who’s moving up from featherweight.

“I think it’s mostly about skill,” Brooks said. “The better guy that trained the hardest that put the work in and got prepared should be able to win; that’s my mindset. I want to go out there and be the best Will Brooks I can possibly be. I’ll beat anybody. That’s just how I approach the game.”

If it all comes down to skill, Brooks said he has the advantage. Oliveira’s UFC run has been inconsistent at best, but there’s no denying he’s one of the better submission artists on the UFC roster. There’s always a danger of him latching on to a limb if the fight hits the ground, but Brooks isn’t concerned.

Brooks said Oliveira’s grappling deserves respect, but more than that, he said he must be cautious on the feet. Brooks praised Oliveira’s ability to use his striking as a “distraction” but said he’s not going to get caught up in any trickery on fight night.

“A lot of people pay attention to his ground game a lot, but I think his striking is very high level muay-Thai striking – and a lot of people tend to overlook that,” Brooks said. “That’s the area where I have to be most concerned. If you get too comfortable thinking about his ground game, he’ll get you on the feet because he’s been developing that area. He’s using his ground game as a distraction.”

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