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Will Brooks

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Will Brooks
BornWillie Love Brooks
October 8, 1986 (1986-10-08) (age 38)
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Other namesIll Will
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)
DivisionLightweight
Reach72 in (183 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofCoconut Creek, Florida, United States
TeamMidwest Training Center (2009–2013)[1][2]
American Top Team (2012–present)[2]
Years active2011–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total32
Wins26
By knockout7
By submission6
By decision13
Losses5
By knockout2
By submission3
Draws1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Willie Love Brooks[3] (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.

Background

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Brooks grew up in Chicago projects in a broken home with his parents struggling with their demons.[4] 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.[5][6] 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.[5][1] 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.[7] 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.[5]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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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.

DREAM

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

Bellator MMA

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Following his impressive international debut, Brooks was quickly signed by Bellator Fighting Championships in January 2013.[9]

Bellator Season 8 Lightweight Tournament

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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.[10]

He faced Saad Awad in the semi-finals at Bellator 91 on February 28, 2013, and lost via KO in the first round.[11]

Following the first loss of his career, Brooks rebounded with a win over Cris Leyva at Bellator 97 on July 31, 2013.[12]

Bellator Season 9 Lightweight Tournament

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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.[13] He won the fight in dominant fashion via unanimous decision.[14]

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.[15]

Brooks faced Alexander Sarnavskiy in the finals at Bellator 109 on November 22, 2013.[16] He won the fight via dominant unanimous decision to earn a future title shot at the Lightweight title.[17]

Title shot and championship reign

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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.[18] He won via split decision to become the Interim Bellator Lightweight Champion.[19]

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.[20] He won the fight via TKO in the fourth round to become the undisputed Bellator Lightweight Champion.[21]

Brooks made his first title defense against long-awaited challenger Dave Jansen at Bellator 136 on April 10, 2015.[22] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[23]

Brooks made his second defense against Marcin Held on November 6, 2015, at Bellator 145.[24] 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.[25]

On May 14, 2016, Brooks was released from Bellator MMA as the promotion decided not to renew his contract.[26]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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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.[27] Brooks won the fight by unanimous decision.[28]

Brooks next faced Alex Oliveira on October 1, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 96.[29] 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.[30]

Brooks faced Charles Oliveira on April 8, 2017, at UFC 210.[31] He lost the fight by rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[32]

Brooks was scheduled to face Nik Lentz on October 7, 2017, at UFC 216.[33] However the pairing was scrapped during the weigh-ins for the event, as Lentz was stricken with "medical issues" and deemed unfit to compete.[34] The pairing with Lentz was rescheduled and eventually took take place on November 19, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 121.[35] Brooks lost the fight via submission in the second round.[36]

On February 14, 2018, Brooks announced via social media that he had been officially released from the UFC after a 4 fight stint.[37]

Professional Fighters League

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Following his departure from the UFC, Brooks announced he had signed a deal with the Professional Fighters League and he would be entering the promotion's one million dollar tournament.[37]

PFL season 2018

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In his debut, Brooks faced Luiz Firmino at PFL 2 on June 21, 2018.[38] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[39]

In his second fight in the Lightweight tournament, Brooks faced Robert Watley on August 2, 2018, at PFL 5.[40] He won the fight by unanimous decision and advanced to the playoffs.[41]

In the quarterfinal bout Brooks faced Rashid Magomedov at PFL 9 on October 13, 2018.[42] The bout ended in a unanimous draw, but Brooks was eliminated from the tournament via first-round tiebreaker.[43]

In the end of January 2019, Brooks announced in social media that he became a free agent after the inaugural season of PFL.[44]

Post-PFL career

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Brooks was expected to face Abel Trujillo at Battlefield FC 2 on July 27, 2019, but Trujillo was withdrawn from the bout and was replaced by Brooks' teammate Gleison Tibau.[45] He lost the fight via first-round submission, tho the stoppage was controversial as the ref mistakenly thought Brooks was unconscious. [46]

On March 30, 2020, news surfaced that Brooks had signed a contract with ARES FC.[47]

Brooks faced Steven Siler on July 30, 2021 at XMMA 2.[48] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[49]

Brooks faced Jose Filho at Art of Scrap 3 on October 30, 2021. He won the bout via rear-naked choke submission in the third round.[50]

Brooks faced Rafael Bastos on April 15, 2022 at Art of Scrap 4.[51] He won the fight via TKO due to injury after Bastos broke his leg early in the first round.[52]

Brooks faced Luis Peña at XMMA 5 on July 23, 2022.[53] He won the bout via split decision.[54]

Brooks faced Jhonasky Sojo at Titan FC 81 on April 14, 2023.[55] He won the bout via rear-naked choke in the third round.[56]

Brooks faced Predrag Bogdanović at Titan FC 82/ SBC 47: Revenge on June 2, 2023 for Titan FC Welterweight Championship and SBC Welterweight Championship. He won the bout via technical knockout in the fifth round.[57]

Global Fight League

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On December 11, 2024, it was announced that Brooks was signed by Global Fight League.[58]

Personal life

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Brooks and his wife have a daughter.[59]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
32 matches 26 wins 5 losses
By knockout 7 2
By submission 6 3
By decision 13 0
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 26–5–1 Predrag Bogdanović TKO (elbows and punches) Titan FC 82 / SBC 47 June 2, 2023 5 3:24 Novi Sad, Serbia Won the vacant SBC and Titan FC Welterweight Championship.
Win 25–5–1 Jhonasky Sojo Submission (rear-naked choke) Titan FC 81 April 14, 2023 3 3:17 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Win 24–5–1 Luis Peña Decision (split) XMMA 5 July 23, 2022 3 5:00 Columbia, South Carolina, United States Catchweight (160 lb) bout.
Win 23–5–1 Rafael Bastos TKO (leg injury) Art of Scrap 4 April 15, 2022 1 0:19 Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States Catchweight (160 lb) bout.
Win 22–5–1 Jose Filho Submission (rear-naked choke) Art of Scrap 3 October 30, 2021 3 4:54 Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States Catchweight (160 lb) bout.
Win 21–5–1 Steven Siler Decision (unanimous) XMMA 2: Saunders vs. Nijem July 30, 2021 3 5:00 Greenville, South Carolina, United States
Loss 20–5–1 Gleison Tibau Technical Submission (guillotine choke) Battlefield FC 2 July 27, 2019 1 3:34 Macau, SAR, China
Draw 20–4–1 Rashid Magomedov Draw (unanimous) PFL 9 October 13, 2018 2 5:00 Long Beach, California, United States 2018 PFL Lightweight Quarterfinal bout. Eliminated via first round tiebreaker.
Win 20–4 Robert Watley Decision (unanimous) PFL 5 August 2, 2018 3 5:00 Uniondale, New York, United States
Win 19–4 Luiz Firmino Decision (unanimous) PFL 2 June 21, 2018 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss 18–4 Nik Lentz Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura November 19, 2017 2 2:05 Sydney, Australia
Loss 18–3 Charles Oliveira Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 210 April 8, 2017 1 2:30 Buffalo, New York, United States
Loss 18–2 Alex Oliveira KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Lineker vs. Dodson October 1, 2016 3 3:30 Portland, Oregon, United States Catchweight (161.5 lbs) bout; Oliveira missed weight.
Win 18–1 Ross Pearson Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia Finale July 8, 2016 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 17–1 Marcin Held Decision (unanimous) Bellator 145 November 6, 2015 5 5:00 St. Louis, Missouri, United States Defended the Bellator Lightweight World Championship. Brooks vacated the title on May 14, 2016.
Win 16–1 Dave Jansen Decision (unanimous) Bellator 136 April 10, 2015 5 5:00 Irvine, California, United States Defended the Bellator Lightweight World Championship.
Win 15–1 Michael Chandler TKO (punches) Bellator 131 November 15, 2014 4 3:48 San Diego, California, United States Won the vacant Bellator Lightweight World Championship.
Win 14–1 Michael Chandler Decision (split) Bellator 120 May 17, 2014 5 5:00 Southaven, Mississippi, United States Won the interim Bellator Lightweight World Championship.
Win 13–1 Alexander Sarnavskiy Decision (unanimous) Bellator 109 November 22, 2013 3 5:00 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States Won the Bellator Season 9 Lightweight Tournament.
Win 12–1 Saad Awad Decision (unanimous) Bellator 105 October 25, 2013 3 5:00 Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States Bellator Season 9 Lightweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 11–1 John Alessio Decision (unanimous) Bellator 101 September 27, 2013 3 5:00 Portland, Oregon, United States Bellator Season 9 Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 10–1 Cris Leyva TKO (punches) Bellator 97 July 31, 2013 3 2:20 Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States
Loss 9–1 Saad Awad KO (punches) Bellator 91 February 28, 2013 1 0:43 Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States Bellator Season 8 Lightweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 9–0 Ricardo Tirloni Decision (unanimous) Bellator 87 January 31, 2013 3 5:00 Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States Bellator Season 8 Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 8–0 Satoru Kitaoka TKO (punches) DREAM 18 December 31, 2012 2 3:46 Saitama, Japan
Win 7–0 Drew Dober Decision (unanimous) Disorderly Conduct: The Yin & The Yang August 10, 2012 3 5:00 Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Win 6–0 Tory Bogguess TKO (punches) XFO 44 June 16, 2012 1 4:20 Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States
Win 5–0 Ryan Bixler Submission (rear-naked choke) Chicago Cagefighting Championship IV October 15, 2011 2 1:00 Villa Park, Illinois, United States
Win 4–0 Joseph Richardson Submission (armbar) XFO 41 September 3, 2011 1 3:49 Island Lake, Illinois, United States
Win 3–0 Bobby Reardanz Submission (armbar) XFO 39 May 13, 2011 3 3:22 Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States
Win 2–0 Guillermo Serment Submission (rear-naked choke) Chicago Cagefighting Championship III March 5, 2011 2 0:45 Villa Park, Illinois, United States
Win 1–0 J.R. Hines TKO (punches) XFO 38 January 22, 2011 1 2:09 Woodstock, Illinois, United States

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Jim Varsallone (October 3, 2017). (P4) UFC Will Brooks of ATT Talks Academics, Athletics, College, Depression, MMA Oct. 2017.
  2. ^ a b Jim Varsallone (October 3, 2017). (P2) UFC Will Brooks of ATT Talks His Life, UFC 216, Nickname, MMA, ATT Oct. 2017.
  3. ^ "Will Brooks". Playerswiki. 2016-09-23. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
  4. ^ Jim Varsallone (October 3, 2017). (P5) UFC Will Brooks of ATT Talks Bellator, Chicago, Parents, Football, Pizza Oct. 2017.
  5. ^ a b c Jeremy Botter. "Will Brooks Just Wants to Have Fun". Bleacher Report. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  6. ^ "Fight Path: How Hughes-GSP led Will Brooks to DREAM.18". MMAjunkie.com. December 27, 2012.
  7. ^ Steven Marrocco (January 31, 2013). "Once he learned to relax, Bellator 87's Will Brooks got his big upset win". MMAjunkie.com.
  8. ^ "Karakhanyan-Takaya, Baroni-Sakurai, Brooks-Kitaoka booked for DREAM 18 card". mmajunkie.com. December 11, 2012.
  9. ^ "Will Brooks signs with Bellator, first fight vs. Ricardo Tirloni". global-mma.com. January 10, 2013.
  10. ^ "Bellator 87 results: Rickels outpoints Woodard to advance in 155 tourney". MMAjunkie.com. February 1, 2013.
  11. ^ Jordan Breen (February 28, 2013). "Bellator 91 Results: Live Play-by-Play & Updates". Sherdog.
  12. ^ "Bellator 97 Results: Play-by-Play & Updates". Sherdog. July 31, 2013.
  13. ^ David St. Martin (July 24, 2013). "Clementi, Alessio and Davis join Bellator's fall lightweight tournament". bloodyelbow.com.
  14. ^ "Bellator 101 Result: Will Brooks advances to lightweight tournament semifinal with decision victory over John Alessio". themmareport.com. September 27, 2013.
  15. ^ Dave Doyle (October 25, 2013). "Bellator 105 results: Will Brooks avenges upset loss to Saad Awad". mmafighting.com.
  16. ^ "Bellator 109 card set with promotional debuts of Matthew Riddle, Terry Etim". MMAjunkie.com. November 7, 2013.
  17. ^ Hunter Homistek (November 23, 2013). "Bellator 109 Results: Shlemenko Blasts Marshall, Hawn and Brooks Shine". Bleacher Report.
  18. ^ "Will Brooks replaces Eddie Alvarez, faces Michael Chandler as Bellator 120 stays on PPV". mmafighting.com. May 10, 2014.
  19. ^ "Bellator 120 Results: Will Brooks Spoils the Alvarez vs. Chandler Trilogy, Captures Interim Belt". mmaweekly.com. May 18, 2014.
  20. ^ "Tito Ortiz-Stephan Bonnar, Will Brooks-Michael Chandler set for Nov. 15 Bellator". sherdog.com. September 5, 2014.
  21. ^ Dann Stupp (November 16, 2014). "Bellator 131 results: Ortiz takes split from Bonnar, Brooks wins undisputed title". MMAjunkie.com.
  22. ^ "Will Brooks to defend Bellator's 155-pound title against Dave Jansen in April". mmafighting.com. February 4, 2015.
  23. ^ Dave Doyle (April 10, 2015). "Bellator 136 results: Will Brooks outlasts a tough Dave Jansen, retains lightweight title". mmafighting.com.
  24. ^ "Bellator 145 Fight Card". bellator.com. 2015-11-06.
  25. ^ Matt Erickson (November 7, 2015). "Bellator 145 results: Daniel Straus takes 145 title from Patricio Freire in classic". MMAjunkie.com.
  26. ^ "Bellator MMA releases lightweight champ Brooks". ESPN.com. 2016-05-14. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  27. ^ John Morgan (2016-06-15). "Will Brooks signs with UFC, meets Ross Pearson at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
  28. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2015-07-08). "TUF 23 Finale results: Ex-Bellator champ Will Brooks tops gritty Ross Pearson for win in UFC debut". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-07-08.
  29. ^ Staff (2016-08-01). "Will Brooks vs. Alex Oliveira added to UFC Fight Night 96 in Portland". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-08-01.
  30. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2016-10-01). "UFC Fight Night 96 results: Alex Oliveira takes out, then taunts hobbled Will Brooks in third". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-10-01.
  31. ^ Tristen Critchfield (2017-02-11). "Will Brooks vs. Charles Oliveira added to UFC 210 lineup in Buffalo". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
  32. ^ Steven Marrocco (2017-04-08). "UFC 210 results: Charles Oliveira finishes Will Brooks with standing rear-naked choke". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-04-08.
  33. ^ Steven Marrocco (2017-07-23). "Nik Lentz, Will Brooks agree to fight each other at UFC 216 in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
  34. ^ Staff (2017-10-06). "UFC 216 loses a featured prelim on eve of event". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-10-06.
  35. ^ Steven Marrocco (2017-10-16). "Will Brooks vs. Nik Lentz targeted for UFC Fight Night 121". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
  36. ^ "UFC Fight Night 121 results: Nik Lentz chokes out 5-1 favorite, ex-teammate Will Brooks". MMAjunkie. 2017-11-19. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
  37. ^ a b "Will Brooks announces he was cut by the UFC, is entering PFL's $1 million tournament". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2018-02-15.
  38. ^ "PFL 2: Firmino vs. Brooks fight card set for Thursday June 21st". fightbookmma.com.
  39. ^ Dave Doyle (June 21, 2018). "PFL 2 results: Will Brooks earns decision over Luiz Firmino". mmafighting.com.
  40. ^ "Brian Foster vs. Natan Schulte headlines PFL 5 in New York". MMAjunkie.com. July 23, 2018.
  41. ^ "PFL 5 results: Natan Schulte chokes out Jason High in first round". MMAjunkie.com. August 2, 2018.
  42. ^ "Light heavyweight, lightweight playoffs set for PFL 9 in Long Beach". mmafighting.com. September 24, 2018.
  43. ^ Dave Doyle (October 14, 2018). "PFL 9 results: Vinny Magalhaes vs. Sean O'Connell, Rashid Magomedov vs. Natan Schulte set for $1 million finals". mmafighting.com.
  44. ^ Jed Meshew (January 31, 2019). "Morning Report: Daniel Cormier discusses being ranked ahead of Jon Jones, possibly putting off retirement". mmafighting.com.
  45. ^ Cole Shelton (July 5, 2019). "Gleison Tibau to Fight Will Brooks in New Main Event of Battlefield FC 2". sherdog.com.
  46. ^ https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/ufc/video-will-brooks-vs-gleison-tibau-fight-ends-with-ridiculous-stoppage/
  47. ^ Farah Hannoun (March 30, 2020). "Former Bellator champ and ex-UFC fighter Will Brooks signs with Ares FC". mmajunkie.com.
  48. ^ Brian Knight (June 21, 2021). "XMMA Announces Summer Blockbuster with XMMA 2". mmasucka.com.
  49. ^ Freeman, Nate. "XMMA 2 Results - Saunders vs. Nijem". Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  50. ^ "Jose Filho vs. Will Brooks". www.tapology.com. 24 November 2021.
  51. ^ "Com duelo marcado em evento americano, Rafael Manteiga celebra apoio do Iron Man MMA". Terra (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2022-04-11.
  52. ^ Al-Shatti, Shaun (2022-04-16). "Video: Ex-Bellator champ Will Brooks wins fight in 19 seconds via grisly leg break". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-05-20.
  53. ^ Nolan King (July 7, 2022). "9 former UFC fighters, former Bellator and PFL champs added to XMMA 5 in South Carolina". MMAjunkie.com.
  54. ^ Nolan King (July 24, 2022). "10 ex-UFC fighters pick up four wins, six losses at XMMA 5". MMAjunkie.com.
  55. ^ Barclay, Ryan (2023-04-04). "Will Brooks, MMA superstar, comes to face "The Machine" Sojo". Blaze Trends. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  56. ^ Heck, Mike (2023-04-16). "Video: Former UFC, Bellator fighter Will Brooks hints at retirement after submission win at Titan FC 81". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  57. ^ "Fight Site - Predrag Bogdanović upisao prvi poraz u karijeri, Will Brooks zasluženo pobijedio i odnio dva pojasa u Ameriku". fightsite.hr (in Croatian). 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  58. ^ "Global Fight League announces launch, roster includes giant list of former UFC fighters". MMA Junkie. 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  59. ^ A Fighters Chance (August 17, 2020). Episode 16: Will Brooks.
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