Newport Beach, Calif. (April 1, 2014) – Eddie Alvarez and Michael Chandler won’t be the only lightweights featured on Bellator’s inaugural pay-per-view as Bellator Lightweight Tournament winner Will Brooks will be back in action and face Nate Jolly on Saturday, May 17th from The Landers Center, located just outside Memphis. The fight joins a card headlined by Eddie Alvarez and Michael Chandler, who will complete MMA’s greatest trilogy, while Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will battle King Mo in a light heavyweight tournament final.
Tickets for the event are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com, Bellator.com and The Landers Center Box Office.
As the Bellator Season 9 Lightweight Tournament winner, Brooks is in line for his world title shot, and will fight for the title later in 2014. But before the Chicago native fights for gold, the 13-1 Brooks will battle Ohio native Nate Jolly live on pay-per-view
Brooks earned his title shot with a dominate tournament run, including victories over John Alessio, Saad Awad and Alexander Sarnavskiy, who combined hold a profession record of 75-25. Only 27, Brooks is aware he is just entering his prime and is ready for a huge 2014.
“I’m so happy to be getting back in that cage,” Brooks said. “I would be lying if I said I didn’t have my sights set on Alvarez vs. Chandler III, just like everyone else, but at the same time I know how focused I am for this next fight. I’m really looking at this fight as more of a blessing than anything else. What some people don’t understand is when you get into that tournament, you are doing everything you can to get through it healthy and keep racking up those wins. My coaches and I came in with a game plan for the tournament, and while it obviously paid off, I know there are so many adjustments I still want to make to my game, and I want to show my fans the sort of skills I have. With a full training camp under my belt, I know I’m going to take my game to the next level and really show fans how my game has evolved.”
“I’m coming into this fight with really nothing to lose,” Jolly said. “I’m pumped to be able to fight for Bellator on such a big stage and against a guy that I feel I match up very well against. I always want to fight the best, and I know Will is very well rounded, and I will need to be on top of my game, which will raise my skills as well. It’s going to be a great scrap, and I can’t wait to get it going on May 17th.”
