Bellator Update: Will Brooks released; Minakov stripped of title

One of the most prolific lightweights in Bellator history is now a free agent. Bellator President Scott Coker announced today via MMAJunkie that Bellator is “not going to be in the Will Brooks business any longer.”

Brooks (18-1 MMA, 9-1 BMMA) leaves Bellator as the 2-time defending champ with 2 wins over company poster boy Michael Chandler and having avenged his lone career loss against Saad Awad. Coker is prepared to make an announcement on the future of the now vacant lightweight title tonight at Bellator 154 in San Jose.

“I just think it would be a waste of time to continue this relationship and try to go through the dance of an option period and a matching period,” Coker told MMAJunkie. “I just think it wouldn’t have worked out anyway, so we decided today to let it go.”

Also of note, heavyweight champion Vitaly Minakov has been stripped of his title due to inactivity. It’s been over 2 years since Minakov last defended his title. Unlike the Brooks situation, Bellator will attempt to work things out with Minakov contractually.