You guys are talking about Brooks like he's a fan fave. Mainly it's just hardcores who even know him. The UFC has historically tried to expose these guys, not build them up (wrestlers who use it that aren't finishing machines).
The Chandler finish was also bizarre but that's neither here nor there.
Quote:
Bellator lightweight champion Will Brooks (17-1 MMA, 9-1 BMMA) has been released from the California-based promotion and is now a free agent. Additionally, heavyweight champ Vitaly Minakov (17-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) has been stripped of his title due to inactivity but will remain under contract with the company.
Bellator President Scott Coker today confirmed the moves with MMAjunkie.
In the case of lightweight champ Brooks, who’s ranked No. 11 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA lightweight rankings, Coker said the promotion has elected to terminate the fighter’s deal and waive all negotiation rights so that “Ill Will” can pursue his free-agency options.
“It was very simple,” Coker told MMAjunkie. “Will Brooks’ contract is ending, and we made a decision not to renew it. We’re going to give him a full release, so we’re not going to be in the Will Brooks business any longer.”
Bellator likes exciting fighters. They could've afforded Brooks on his 50/50 deal.
He's got one finish in 8 fights against guys like: Saad Awaad, Dave Jansen, John Alessio, Alexander Sarnavskiy