Will Brooks set to face Luis Pena in XMMA 5 main event on July 23
We’ve been informed of an incredibly exciting 160 lb catchweight bout going down later this month between former Bellator lightweight champion Will Brooks and fellow UFC veteran Luis Pena.
This bout is to headline XMMA 5, and will go down on July 23, 2022, live from the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina.
The event will also host a number of other UFC veterans, such as Jared Gooden, Impa Kasanganay, Collin Anglin, Joe Gigliotti, The Ultimate Fighter 25 winner Jesse Taylor, Chris Beal, BKFC talent Julian Lane, Austin Hubbard, as well as former PFL standout Andre Harrison.
Will Brooks (23-5-1) vs Luis Pena (11-3)
Will Brooks came to the UFC in 2016 following a very successful stint in Bellator, seeing him cap off his promotional tenure with four title fights, two of which saw him victorious over Michael Chandler.
Following his UFC debut, he was now 18-1, and he’d avenged his only defeat to date.
However, he’d lose his next three-straight bouts, being finished in all three, prior to being released the promotion.
Brooks has since gone 5-1-1, his only defeat coming via a very controversial stoppage to Gleison Tibau, and he comes into this fight on a three-fight win streak.
We all got notice of Luis Pena on the set of The Ultimate Fighter 27, where he went 1-0 on the show and was forced out of the competition due to an injury.
Coming to the UFC in 2018 with a record of 4-0, Pena would submit fellow castmate Richie Smullen in his promotional debut, before losing a split decision to the seasons champion Michael Trizano in his next outing.
Pena would win his next two bouts, before losing another split decision, this one to Matt Frevola.
Pena then went 2-1 through his final three bouts with the promotion before signing with Titan FC, where he’s gone 2-0 thus far since his departure.
Each man comes into this bout on a three-fight win streak, securing finishes in their last two outings.
Brooks had so much hype on him while he was still with Bellator, but that hype has begun to fade a bit, while the same could be said for Pena. He’s such a youth beyond his years, but he too has had some hiccups along the way.
Who comes out of this XMMA main event the victor?
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