Ex-Bellator Champ Will Brooks Signs with UFC, Meets Ross Pearson at ‘TUF 23’ Finale

Former Bellator MMA lightweight king Will Brooks has signed a six-fight deal with the UFC and will face Ross Pearson at "The Ultimate Fighter 23" finale on July 8.

A promotion official confirmed the news on Wednesday following an initial report from MMAjunkie.com. Brooks makes his Octagon debut in place of James Krause, who was forced to withdraw from the matchup with Pearson earlier this week.

“The Ultimate Fighter 23” finale takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and is headlined by a strawweight championship bout between Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Claudia Gadelha.

Bellator MMA waived all negotiating rights with Brooks upon releasing the American Top Team fighter last month. “Ill Will” has won eight straight fights in Bellator and is 17-1 as a professional overall. Brooks captured the Bellator interim crown with a split verdict over Michael Chandler at Bellator 120 and the vacant title with a fourth-round stoppage of Chandler at Bellator 131. He last appeared at Bellator 145 this past November, when he defended the belt with a five-round decision over Marcin Held.

Pearson, a 19-time Octagon veteran, is 1-1 thus far in 2016, dropping a unanimous verdict to Francisco Trinaldo at UFC Fight Night in Boston on Jan. 17 before take a split decision against Chad Laprise at UFC Fight Night “Hunt vs. Mir” on March 19.