Will Brooks signs with UFC, faces Ross Pearson at TUF 23 Finale MMAJunkie reports that Bellator lightweight champion Will Brooks has signed with the UFC and will replace James Krause against Ross Pearson at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale. Brooks (17-1) heads into this matchup on an eight-fight win streak, including a unanimous decision victory over Marcin Held in his last fight. Pearson (19-10) is coming off a split decision victory over Chad Laprise at UFC Fight Night 85 and will be looking for back-to-back wins for the first time in nearly three years. The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale takes place July 8 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena. Here’s an updated look at the card. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (c) vs. Claudia Gadelha – for for women’s strawweight title opponent TBA vs. opponent TBA – “TUF 23” light heavyweight tournament final opponent TBA vs. opponent TBA – “TUF 23” women’s strawweight tournament final Will Brooks vs. Ross Pearson Doo Ho Choi vs. Thiago Tavares Andrew Holbrook vs. Joaquim Silva Fernando Bruno vs. Gray Maynard Cezar Ferreira vs. Anthony Smith Li Jingliang vs. Anton Zafir John Moraga vs. Matheus Nicolau Kevin Lee vs. Jake Matthews Anthony Pettis drops to featherweight, battles Charles Oliveira at UFC on FOX 21 in Vancouver UFC officials announced Wednesday that former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis will take on Charles Oliveira in the UFC’s return to Vancouver, Canada. Pettis (18-5) heads into this fight off three straight losses to Rafael Dos Anjos, Eddie Alvarez and most recently Edson Barboza. Oliveira (21-5) is coming into this fight off a submission victory over Myles Jury back in December at UFC on FOX 17. The Brazilian has won five of his last six fights. Ex-lightweight champ Anthony Pettis (18-5 MMA, 5-4 UFC) will make his drop to featherweight at UFC on FOX 21 when he meets Charles Oliveira (21-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC). FOXSports.com first brought news of the booking and event today, which later was announced by UFC officials. UFC on FOX 21 will take place Aug. 27 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This will be the promotion’s third trip to Vancouver as they’ve held UFC 115, UFC 131 and UFC 174 there.
