Will Brooks: Bellator Veterans Are Getting “Shrug” Treatment
Bellator light heavyweight champion Liam McGeary picked up the biggest win of his career last night (September 19, 2015), submitting longtime mixed martial arts (MMA) veteran Tito Ortiz in the main event of Bellator: Dynamite.
However, some believe that McGeary, and other Bellator champions aren’t necessarily getting the respect they deserve, none more than Bellator lightweight champion “Ill” Will Brooks.
Since Scott Coker took over Bellator last year, the promotion has seemed to have gone in a new and somewhat exciting direction by signing some big stars, and former UFC vets like Ortiz, and former UFC light heavyweight Phil Davis, who also made his Bellator debut last night.
While these fighters are undoubtedly helping boost Coker’s product, Brooks believes that they are being treated better than the Bellator fighters who have helped build the company to what it is today.
“Ill Will” took to his official twitter account, blasting the promotion, and voicing his displeasure for the way McGeary was treated after the fight:
I’ve watched these new guys come over and get the royal treatment. While me and the other champions get the should shrug treatment.
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) September 20, 2015
I respect the changes Bellator has been making things are a lot better then before but there’s more work to be done
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) September 20, 2015
There needs to be more respect shown by the organization and the fans to me and the other fighters that were here before these new cats.
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) September 20, 2015
We work our ass off for this organization and I feel like the new guys get more respect than me and the other guys that have been here
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) September 20, 2015
We deserve better and I know Coker and Bellator can do better for the fighters.
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) September 20, 2015
No one has to like my attitude or my approach to things but I can tell you this much. I stand strong on better fighter treatment
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) September 20, 2015
I said it before I’ll put myself in the line of fire and take the shots but things will get better for us that have been here grinding
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) September 20, 2015
Is Bellator playing favorites towards their biggest money makers? Should fighters like McGeary, Brooks, and even featherweight champ Patricio “Pitbull” Friere receive more respect?
