With just 48 hours to go until Friday’s Bellator 145, lightweight champion Will Brooks is accusing featherweight champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, Patricio’s brother Patricky, and others in their camp of attacking him.
Shortly after the alleged incident, Brooks, who is preparing to defend his belt against Marcin Held on Friday, claimed that the Freire brothers “jumped” him while he was on the phone with his mother. He posted his accusations on Twitter.
Pitbull brothers showed me what cowards they are. They jumped me while I was on the phone with my mom.
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) November 4, 2015
Punch me while I’m being held back by your people. Cowards — Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) November 4, 2015
I’ve never had to sucker punch or jump anyone I held things on my own but these cowards aren’t built like real men
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) November 4, 2015
The accusations were initially met with a heavy dose of skepticism, considering that Brooks and the Freire brothers have a past of not getting along, and with many questioning why Brooks would immediately use Twitter to air his grievances if he had just been assaulted. Brooks, however, indicated that someone in his camp apparently has video footage of the incident, and that he intends to make said footage available after authorities have had a chance to review it.
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I’m still pretty and still focused on my fight even though these cowards jumped me. We have video
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) November 4, 2015
After authorities are able to check out footage I will make sure everyone can see what those cowards are really made of.
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) November 4, 2015
Although Bellator officials did not confirm the incident itself, they appear to be taking Brooks’ allegations seriously, telling MMAWeekly.com, “We are looking into the situation and gathering surveillance footage at this time. We have no further comment at this time.”
MMAWeekly.com will keep you updated as further details come to light.