Will Brooks went 5-1 last year and has won four straight. | Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
A lightweight clash pitting Season 9 tournament winner Will Brooks against 18-fight pro Nate Jolly will take place at Bellator’s inaugural pay-per-view on May 17.
Brooks, 27, rebounded from the only loss of his pro career to win his last four fights, outpointing UFC vet John Alessio in the Season 9 quarterfinals before avenging his defeat to Saad Awad in the round-of-four. “Ill Will” last competed on Nov. 22, when he out-grappled Alexander Sarnavskiy to earn both the Season 9 tournament crown and a crack at the lightweight title.
Before Brooks receives his shot at the lightweight strap, however, he must first face Jolly, who makes his Bellator debut on the heels of three victories in his last four fights. The 31-year-old was last seen in October, when he collected his 13th career victory under Florida’s Xtreme Fighting Championships banner.