Brooks filed a lawsuit against the WWE, claiming he was living with a staph infection for months, that could have turned fatal if left untreated for much longer. Brooks married the former “AJ Lee,” April Mendez on June 13, 2014, and was given his walking papers by the WWE that day.
Brooks made an appearance at UFC 181 (14 December 2014) to announce he had signed with the promotion. His fighting shorts would be longer, and there would be no boots or elbow pads. There would also be the aspect of punches will no longer be pulled, and his martial arts background could finally be put on display.
Brooks began training with former kickboxer, and K-1 fighter Duke Roufus at Roufussport in Milwaukee. A Chicago native, Brooks jumped at the oportunity to learn MMA by the same coach as Jens Pulver, “Showtime” Anthony Pettis, Ben Askren, and current UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley.
The debut of Brooks was thought by most to happen July 9 at UFC 200. However, numerous injuries during training caused postponement. That changes tonight, when Brooks steps into the octagon to face Mickey Gall at UFC 203 in Cleveland. Gall, 24, made his UFC debut at Fight Night 82, defeating Mike Jackson by rear-naked choke in just 45 seconds. Brooks steps onto the UFC’s biggest stage in his debut, a significant underdog (+265) to face Gall (-325). When Brock Lesnar left the WWE to jump to the UFC--having a cup of coffee with the NFL and K-1 on the way--he had a wrestling background to fall back on. Lesnar was officially submitted in 90 seconds by Frank Mir at UFC 77 (2 February 2008). A few months later, Lesnar would defeat Randy “The Natural” Couture to become UFC heavyweight champion.
Lesnar was 29 when debuting with K-1 in 2008. Brooks steps into the Quicken Loans Arena at 36.
Brooks will get plenty of cheers from WWE fan-boys hoping he shocks the world. In some parts of the MMA world, Brooks is the biggest story heading into tonight’s card. However, there is a reason he is not in the main event, as that honor is reserved for Cleveland-native and UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, who will make his first title defense against #3 Alistair “The Reem” Overeem. Another Cleveland native, #10 Jessica “Evil” Eye takes on “The Pitbull” Bethe Correia (#11) on the undercard in the UFC women’s bantamweight division. Eye is best know for exploding the ear of Leslie Smith at UFC 180. Correia’s biggest claim to fame is shaking Ronda Rousey’s tree, then getting knocked out in 34 seconds at UFC 190...in her hometown of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
Brooks has been friends for over 20 years with fellow professional wrestler Scott Colton, known better as “Colt Cabana.” Colton was interviewed prominently on Brooks’ 2012 WWE-produced documentary entitled “CM Punk: Best in the World.” Colton, who is the producer of the “Art of Wrestling” podcast, hosted Brooks on a November 2014 episode. Brooks, never one to shy away from words, proceeded to burn any bridge-like structure he had with the WWE to the foundation, and let one of his non-straight edge friends smoke the ashes.
I caught up briefly with Colton after Absolute Intense Wrestling’s “JT Lightning Memorial Invitational Tournament” in May. Having watched Colton’s work for several years, I complimented him on finally being able to see him in person. Casually I mentioned the commentary he provided on “Phil’s” documentary, and was subtly scolded for doing so. Colton asked why I would refer to Brooks as “Phil,” despite not knowing him personally.
Last month however, Colton was reportedly backstage at a WWE Monday Night Raw event. While his lawsuit is ongoing against WWE, Brooks is reportedly infuriated with Colton. Both have unfollowed each other on Twitter which we all know is worse than cheating with your spouse’s sibling.
Brooks claimed he would not need to talk fans into the building for tonight’s card. Glad you think so Phil, because most of them are there to see Miocic, not you. Miocic is a champion, and the catalyst that began the crumbling of the Cleveland sports curse. That did not stop Brooks on a UFC conference call that he was walking around at around 200 lbs., needed to get to 170 lbs. for tonight’s fight. Gall, trying to seize every opportunity he could, immediately fired back stating he would have no problem taking a portion of Brooks’ paycheck if Brooks did not make weight. Just like the spoiled petulant child he is, Brooks then proceeded to brag that his payday for UFC 203 would be more money than Gall has made in his life.
I surely hoped Brooks spent some of his training time studying the art of how the UFC lights their events. The last thing I hope he will see before exiting the cage tonight will be those same light fixtures, while flat on his back after just regaining consciousness.
It could not happen to a nicer guy.
-JC24