Bellator announced two roster moves prior to its event Saturday. The most notable move was outright releasing lightweight champ Will Brooks. It also stripped its heavyweight champ Vitaly Minakov for inactivity.
The big news is that Brooks, who was 9-1 in Bellator, was shown the door and is now a free agent. Brooks had been outspoken via social media about his stay with the company. He was also labeled a malcontent by others which may have made the relationship hard for negotiations. Scott Coker confirmed via MMA Junkie that it had terminated Brooks’ contract and waived all negotiations rights so that Brooks could pursue his free agency options. One might assume that Brooks would be able to fight in another organization as soon as he could come to agreement.
“We’re not going to be in the Will Brooks business any longer,” Coker told MMA Junkie.
It appears Brooks read the quote.
I’m still in the business of Will Brooks and my business will always be good.
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) May 14, 2016
Brooks told MMA Fighting that his contract expired on July 15 with one fight left on the deal.
In addition, Coker said that Minakov would be stripped of the title. He had not defended the title since April 2014. Coker indicated that the company would retain the former Olympian’s rights despite stripping him.
Payout Perspective:
Strong statement by Coker to release Brooks and strip Minakov. Frankly, I do not know the backstory behind Minakov’s inability to defend the title. But, with the recent signing of Matt Mitrione it should tell you that the company would like to bring that division back into play. As for Brooks, it’s clear that the two sides were at an impasse. The severing of Brooks without getting at least one more fight from him obviously means that the two sides were so far apart in negotiations, the company did not want to have Brooks possibly win his last contracted fight and then cut a promo on the company or pull a “Benson Henderson” (i.e., take off gloves and lay in the right) on television.
Bellator has turned to crap under Coker and this is another example.
No more tournaments and titleholders who actually earned it and deserved it. Instead we get Manhoef fighting for a title next week…wth??? Kimbo vs Dada main events??? Trying to hand ex-UFC fighters titles like Benson Henderson and Mitrione and failing.
Bellator has lost credibility as a legitmate and competitive MMA organization in my eyes. I have to agree with everyone who calls it a freakshow over there.
Bring back Bjorn…