Will Brooks

Willie Love Brooks (born October 8, 1986) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division.

A professional competitor since 2011, he is the former Bellator MMA Lightweight World Champion, and has also competed for DREAM, the Professional Fighters League and the UFC.

Brooks grew up in Chicago projects in a broken home with his parents struggling with their demons.

After getting kicked out of several schools due to fighting, he took up wrestling at Warren Township High School, but his main focus was playing football.

Excelling in football during high school, he ended up going to college to play at Harper College, where he was an All-American in his first year.

However, he let go of his dreams of playing in the NFL after sustaining a knee injury, which led to partying, substance abuse and eventually drug dealing.

During his time in Harper, he met an old friend from high school in Nick Redding, who ended up changing the course of his life to MMA.

Brooks made his professional MMA debut in January 2011.

He competed exclusively in his native Illinois and quickly amassed an undefeated record of 7-0 in the first two years of his career.

In late 2012, Brooks received the biggest opportunity of his career as he was invited to Japan by the DREAM organization.

He faced experienced veteran Satoru Kitaoka at Dream 18 on December 31, 2012.

Despite being a heavy underdog, Brooks dominated the fight and won via TKO in the second round.

Following his impressive international debut, Brooks was quickly signed by Bellator Fighting Championships in January 2013.

For his debut, Brooks was entered into the Bellator Lightweight Tournament.

He faced Ricardo Tirloni in the opening round at Bellator 87 and won the fight via unanimous decision.

He faced Saad Awad in the semi-finals at Bellator 91 on February 28, 2013, and lost via KO in the first round.

Following the first loss of his career, Brooks rebounded with a win over Cris Leyva at Bellator 97 on July 31, 2013.

In the fall of 2013, Brooks entered into the Bellator Season 9 Lightweight tournament.

He faced veteran John Alessio in the Quarterfinals on September 27, 2013, at Bellator 101.

He won the fight in dominant fashion via unanimous decision.

Brooks had a rematch with Saad Awad in the semifinal round at Bellator 105 on October 25, 2013, and dominated the fight for all three rounds, winning a unanimous decision victory.

Brooks faced Alexander Sarnavskiy in the finals at Bellator 109 on November 22, 2013.

He won the fight via dominant unanimous decision to earn a future title shot at the Lightweight title.

On May 17, 2014, Brooks faced Michael Chandler filling in for the injured champ Eddie Alvarez at Bellator 120 for the Interim Bellator Lightweight Championship.

He won via split decision to become the Interim Bellator Lightweight Champion.

With Bellator Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez leaving the promotion, Brooks faced Michael Chandler in a rematch at Bellator 131 on November 15, 2014, for the vacant Bellator Lightweight Championship.

He won the fight via TKO in the fourth round to become the undisputed Bellator Lightweight Champion.

Brooks made his first title defense against long-awaited challenger Dave Jansen at Bellator 136 on April 10, 2015.

He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Brooks made his second defense against Marcin Held on November 6, 2015, at Bellator 145.

Despite Held popping Brooks' knee in the opening round, Brooks continued on and won the fight via unanimous decision to retain the Bellator Lightweight Championship.

On May 14, 2016, Brooks was released from Bellator MMA as the promotion decided not to renew his contract.

On June 15, 2016, it was announced that Brooks had signed a six-fight deal with the UFC.

He made his promotional debut against Ross Pearson on July 8, 2016, at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale.

Brooks won the fight by unanimous decision.

Brooks next faced Alex Oliveira on October 1, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 96.

The bout took place at a catchweight of 161.5 lbs, as Oliveira missed weight.

Brooks lost the fight via KO in the third round.

Brooks faced Charles Oliveira on April 8, 2017, at UFC 210.

He lost the fight by rear-naked choke submission in the first round.