Former Bellator champ Will Brooks signs with UFC, debuts at TUF 23 Finale

Former Bellator lightweight champion Will Brooks is no longer a free agent.

On Wednesday, FOX Sports’ Damon Martin reported the highly-touted prospect has signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Brooks’ promotional debut will come at “The Ultimate Fighter” 23 finale at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on July 8.

Brooks’ opponent for his UFC debut will be former TUF champion Ross Pearson, a seasoned veteran inside of the Octagon. Brooks replaces Pearson’s original opponent, James Krause, who withdrew from the bout for unknown reasons.

Entering his UFC debut, Brooks is riding a nine-fight win streak.

The TUF 23 Finale is headlined by a UFC strawweight championship bout between current title holder Joanna Jedrzejcyzk and top contender Claudia Gadelha.

Additionally, the season winners in the light heavyweight and strawweight division tournaments will be determined.

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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports

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