Tag: Will Brooks

Global Fight League announces launch, roster includes giant list of former UFC fighters

GFL has arrived – and it’s bringing fairly massive names from UFC yesteryears with it.

A new player has entered the MMA landscape, and it has arrived with some big names.

Wednesday, Global Fight League (GFL) announced its official launch will come in the opening weeks of 2025. The GFL concept differs from that of UFC and PFL.

While it has a league format and playoffs, it is also team-based and has a draft. There will be six franchises (names and cities to follow). The draft is scheduled for Jan. 24, with an inaugural event to follow in April.

Who’s fighting?

Co-founder Darren Owen revealed on “The Ariel Helwani Show” on Wednesday that the promotion has over 300 fighters under contract. Not all fighters will be drafted.

Of the 92 fighters posted to the promotion’s official website, 45 of them are former UFC fighters. Names include Tyron Woodley, Anthony Pettis, Benson Henderson, Gegard Mousasi, Wanderlei Silva, Frank Mir, Andrei Arlovski, Kevin Lee, Fabricio Werdum, and Junior Dos Santos among others.

Scroll below to see the released names:

  • [autotag]Marcel Adur[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Amirkhon Alikhuzhaev[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Andrei Arlovski[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Omar Arteaga[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Stuart Austin[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Renan Barao[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Deberson Batista[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Raimundo Batista[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Stephen Beaumont[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Alan Belcher[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Tanner Boser[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Claudeci Brito[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Will Brooks[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Yan Cabral[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Alexsandro Cangaty[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Pedro Carvalho[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Rafael Carvalho[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Alexa Conners[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Kyle Daukaus[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Ayton de Paepe[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Patrizio de Souza[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Robelis Despaigne[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Marcelo Dias[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Miao Ding[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Junior Dos Santos[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Cameron Else[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Tonya Evinger[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Kalindra Faria[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Marciano Ferreira[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Chauncey Foxworth[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Glaico Franca[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Alexander Gustafsson[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Greg Hardy[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Andre Harrison[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Benson Henderson[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Phil Hawes[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Guto Inocente[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Michael Irizarry[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Bubba Jenkins[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Pannie Kianzad[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Ilir Latifi[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Kevin Lee[/autotag]
  • [autotag]William Lima[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Philipe Lins[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Hector Lombard[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Ruan Machado[/autotag]
  • [autotag]John Makdessi[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Lucas Martins[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Aleksandr Maslov[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Jordan Mein[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Dominick Meriweather[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Frank Mir[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Silvania Monteiro[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Marlon Moraes[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Killys Motta[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Gegard Mousasi[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Bi Nguyen[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Abubakar Nurmagomedov[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Ayinda Octave[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Aleksei Oleinik[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Renan Oliveira[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Sidney Outlaw[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Karolina Owczarz[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Oscar Ownsworth[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Denis Palancica[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Rousimar Palharaes[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Lance Palmer[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Chiara Penco[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Markus Perez[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Jefferson Pontes[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Jimmie Rivera[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Luke Rockhold[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Charles Rosa[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Thiago Santos[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Cleiton Silva[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Wanderlei Silva[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Emiliano Sordi[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Julio Spadaccini[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Andre Soukhamthath[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Roggers Souza[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Gabriel Souza Galindo[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Jeremy Stephens[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Mohamed Tarek Mohey[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Diego Teixeira[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Oli Thompson[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Francisco Trinaldo[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Austin Tweedy[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Feruz Usmonov[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Jozef Wittner[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Tyron Woodley[/autotag]

What does GFL provide athletes that other promotions don’t?

According to Owen, GFL offers fighters a 50-50 split in revenue sharing. Additionally, the promotion provides comprehensive support for training and medical bills, retirement benefits, insurance coverage, and more.

Who is behind GFL and where is the money coming from?

Owen is listed as the co-founder and commissioner for GFL and serves essentially as the public face for the promotion. He served as COO of PFL vs. October 2015 to May 2020 and was the founder and CEO of World Series of Fighting Canada, according to his LinkedIn page.

Also listed on the promotion’s website are Arun Parimi (co-founder and COO), Scott Parker (CMO), and Jeffrey Pollack (senior advisor).

Owen declined to identify the source of the funds behind the operation, but did say it’s a silicon valley investor.

How does the regular season work?

Similarly to PFL, GFL has a point system for regular season fights.

A finish victory notches a fighter’s team four points. A decision win earns three points. A draw earns two points. A decision loss earns one point. If a fighter loses by finish, he or she walks away with zero points.

Tennessee’s leaders for tackles through seven games

A look at Tennessee’s leaders for tackles through seven games during the 2024 college football season.

Tennessee (6-1, 3-1 SEC) is ranked No. 8 in the US LBM Coaches Poll in Week 9. The Vols will have their second open date of the regular-season on Saturday.

Through seven contests, redshirt senior defensive back Will Brooks is leading Tennessee in tackles. The 6-foot-1, 206-pound safety has recorded 37 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for a loss.

Brooks is from Vestavia Hills High School in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. After the Vols defeated Alabama, 24-17, in Week 8, Brooks met with media and was asked what the victory meant to him.

“It meant a lot,” Brooks said. “Beating Alabama is always a great feeling, especially for this fanbase, for all of the players and all of the coaches. It was just an unbelievable moment, and it was super exciting.”

Below are Tennessee’s top five leaders for tackles after Week 8.

  • Will Brooks (37)
  • Arion Carter (33)
  • Keenan Pili (29)
  • Jermod McCoy (24)
  • Joshua Josephs (23)
Will Brooks. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Tennessee extends home win streak versus Alabama

Tennessee defeats Alabama for a second consecutive time at Neyland Stadium.

No. 10 Tennessee (6-1, 3-1 SEC) defeated No. 7 Alabama (5-2, 2-2 SEC), 24-17, Saturday at Neyland Stadium in Week 8 of the 2024 college football season.

Alabama led, 7-0, at halftime as Jalen Milroe completed a 5-yard touchdown to Ryan Williams early in the second quarter.

The Vols had three turnovers and missed two field goals in the first half.

Tennessee led, 24-17, after kicker Max Gilbert converted a 41-yard field goal with 1 minute, 30 seconds remaining in the game.

Linebacker Will Brooks, a Birmingham, Alabama native, then sealed the contest when he recorded an interception for the Vols.

Dylan Sampson rushed for a career-high 139 yards on 26 attempts. He also scored touchdown runs from three and two yards.

Nico Iamaleava completed 14-of-27 passing attempts for 194 yards. He completed a 16-yard touchdown pass to Chris Brazzell II.

Bru McCoy recorded six receptions for 80 receiving yards.

Chris Brazzell II. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Tennessee defeats North Carolina State in Duke’s Mayo Classic

Tennessee defeats North Carolina State in Week 2 of the 2024 college football season.

No. 12 Tennessee (2-0) defeated No. 23 North Carolina State (1-1), 51-10, Saturday in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Vols led, 20-3, at halftime.

Tennessee redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava completed 16-of-23 passing attempts for 211 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also recorded 65 rushing yards on eight attempts and scored a 31-yard rushing touchdown.

Dylan Sampson was the Vols’ leading rusher as he totaled 132 yards and two touchdowns on 20 rushing attempts. He also recorded three receptions for 37 yards.

Squirrel White recorded two receptions for 67 receiving yards, while Miles Kitselman totaled three receptions for 39 yards and one receiving touchdown.

The Vols’ defense forced three Wolfpack turnovers, including an 85-yard interception return by Will Brooks for a touchdown.

Max Gilbert converted three field goals for Tennessee.

Saul Young/USA TODAY Network

Willie Martinez details Will Brooks’ offseason allowing for more playing time

Tennessee secondary coach Willie Martinez details Will Brooks’ offseason, allowing for more playing time in 2024.

Redshirt senior defensive back Will Brooks enters his fifth season at Tennessee.

The 6-foot-1, 206 pound Brooks appeared in 36 games from 2020-23 for the Vols, recording 23 tackles, one tackle for a loss, one pass deflection and one fumble recovery.

Following Tennessee’s tenth practice during fall camp ahead of the 2024 season, secondary coach Willie Martinez met with media. He discussed what Brooks has done during the offseason to allow him an opportunity for more playing time.

“His preparation, he’s an everyday, consistent player who is very detailed,” Martinez said. “Whether that is in meetings, off the field or whether we are taking a day off, he’s somebody that we are leaning on for leadership because he’s been here for a long time and has done it the right way.

“His teammates respect him tremendously. He’s been very consistent. That’s the best thing I can say about Will. There’s no up-and-down. The players are being led the right way.”

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

UFC veterans in MMA action April 14-15

Check out which UFC veterans are in MMA and boxing action across the globe this weekend.

This week, the UFC travels to Kansas City, Mo. for UFC on ESPN 44 following UFC 287 in Miami. Former featherweight king [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] takes on [autotag]Arnold Allen[/autotag] in the main event.

Elsewhere, many other MMA events are taking place that feature a number of familiar names that have competed under the UFC banner.

This weekend, there are a total of 14 veterans of the global MMA leader competing in MMA and boxing this week from April 14-15.

Check out the names and details about their bouts below.

Upcoming event information from Tapology.

Former Bellator champ and ex-UFC fighter Will Brooks signs with Ares FC

Ares FC has stacked up its roster with notable UFC veterans, most recently adding Will Brooks.

Ares FC has stacked up its roster with notable UFC veterans.

Its latest addition is former Bellator lightweight champion and ex-UFC fighter [autotag]Will Brooks[/autotag] (20-5 MMA), who was expected to make his promotional debut at Ares FC 2 on Aug. 1 before the event was canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Ares FC matchmaker Alan Murphy revealed the news of Brooks’ signing, along with the full Ares FC 2 fight card, which featured Brooks vs. former EFC lightweight champion Martin van Staden.

Newly signed UFC veterans Luis Henrique, Wilson Reis, John Moraga and Alex Sandoval also were scheduled to compete on the card, which has now been postponed until the end of the year.

After leaving the UFC, Brooks signed with PFL, where he won two bouts and went to a draw with Rashid Magomedov, but was subsequently eliminated from the 2018 lightweight playoffs due to a first-round tiebreaker.

Brooks then faced fellow UFC veteran Gleison Tibau at Battlefield FC 2 this past July in China, but lost by a controversial first-round submission.

Ex-Bellator champ, UFC fighter Will Brooks tries out for WWE

Could WWE be next for the fighter who’s competed in Bellator, UFC and PFL?

Former Bellator champion [autotag]Will Brooks[/autotag] is trying his hand at the world of professional wrestling.

In a recent press release, WWE revealed that Brooks (20-5-1 MMA) was among more than 40 athletes to partake in a recent tryout. The tryout was the WWE’s final of 2019. The week was overseen by WWEPC head coach Matt Bloom.

The tryout took place at the WWE performance Center in Orlando, Fla., and featured numerous other athletes, TV personalities, celebrities, military heroes, and more. Amateur fighters Kara Lazauskas and Lainey Nations were the only other tryout hopefuls who shared MMA backgrounds with Brooks.

Brooks isn’t the first UFC veteran to try out for the WWE in recent memory. In December 2018, UFC middleweight Eric Spicely took advantage of the opportunity to wrestle in front of WWE scouts. Additionally, former UFC champions Ronda Rousey and Cain Velasquez are currently members of the WWE roster.

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In 2017, Brooks traded in his Bellator lightweight title for a pair of UFC gloves. After winning his promotional debut against Ross Pearson, Brooks lost three straight fights en route to a UFC release.

Brooks is one of the few athletes in MMA history to have competed in the UFC, Bellator, and PFL. After an unsuccessful PFL 2018 season, Brooks most recently fought Gleison Tibau at Battlefield FC 2 in July 2019.