Another legitimate contender may be on his way to the UFC’s most populated division.
Remember how excited everyone was when Eddie Alvarez signed for the UFC while he was the Bellator lightweight champion?
Alvarez more than lived up to the hype in the world’s biggest promotion after losing his debut to Donald Cerrone. After notching up two straight wins against high-level opposition in former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez and former UFC champion Anthony Pettis, Alvarez is now on the cusp of a title shot.
Now it looks like the man who succeeded his Bellator throne is considering following him over to the big leagues.
On Tuesday, Bellator lightweight champion Will Brooks (17-1) voiced his disappointment about not getting the opportunity to welcome Benson Henderson to the promotion.
Oh well… #notsurprised
— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) February 2, 2016
I've given up so much time & energy to things I can't control that I lost myself. Not anymore I'm regrouped & back on track. #nolongerjaded
— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) February 2, 2016
It was a foregone conclusion that Henderson would be granted a title shot for his promotional debut and considering he held the 155 lb belt in the UFC, many suspected that his shot would come against Brooks.
However, Henderson’s last two fights have been at 170 lb, and the big wigs decided that his first fight in the promotion would be for the welterweight title against Andrey Koreshev.
Brooks admitted that it didn’t really surprise him he was being overlooked for “the fight that made most sense”, and requested that his fans remain patient.
I appreciate all my fans and MMA fans being upset that I'm not getting the fights that make sense. Please don't waste your energy on it…
— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) February 3, 2016
The only man to beat Michael Chandler twice then went on to drop a bit of a bombshell. He announced he’s going to fight out his current contract, which may mean he’s set to become a free agent – at least that’s what some people seem to be taking from it.
Brooks said he believes he’s already achieved everything he can in Bellator and will soon move on to the next goal. Although he was reluctant to reveal exactly what the goal was, it is likely either signing for another promotion or making his current employers think he wants to leave in order to give himself some leverage with his next contract negotiation.
It maybe because I've decided to fight out my contract with Bellator and they've decided not to use any resources on me and that's fine
— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) February 3, 2016
I understand and appreciate where their coming from if that is the case. Everyone has to do what's best for them and they maybe doing that
— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) February 3, 2016
I'll do what's best for myself and accomplish my next goal. I set a goal when I signed with Bellator and I've accomplished that goal
— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) February 3, 2016
Now its on to my next goal
— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) February 3, 2016
Whatever happens, we can all agree that Brooks would be a welcome addition to the murderers’ row that is the UFC lightweight division. Even if it’s only to see how a fight between himself and Alvarez would play out, as the two have never faced each other.
