Brooks grew up in Chicago projects in a broken home with his parents struggling with their demons.[4] After getting kicked out of several schools due to fighting, he took up wrestling at Warren Township High School, but his main focus was playing football.[5][6] Excelling in football during high school, he ended up going to college to play at Harper College, where he was an All-American in his first year.[5][1] However, he let go of his dreams of playing in the NFL after sustaining a knee injury, which led to partying, substance abuse and eventually drug dealing.[7] During his time in Harper, he met an old friend from high school in Nick Redding, who ended up changing the course of his life to MMA.[5]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Brooks made his professional MMA debut in January 2011. He competed exclusively in his native Illinois and quickly amassed an undefeated record of 7-0 in the first two years of his career.
DREAM
In late 2012, Brooks received the biggest opportunity of his career as he was invited to Japan by the DREAM organization. He faced experienced veteran Satoru Kitaoka at Dream 18 on December 31, 2012.[8] Despite being a heavy underdog, Brooks dominated the fight and won via TKO in the second round.
He faced Saad Awad in the semi-finals at Bellator 91 on February 28, 2013, and lost via KO in the first round.[11]
Following the first loss of his career, Brooks rebounded with a win over Cris Leyva at Bellator 97 on July 31, 2013.[12]
Bellator Season 9 Lightweight Tournament
In the fall of 2013, Brooks entered into the Bellator Season 9 Lightweight tournament. He faced veteran John Alessio in the Quarterfinals on September 27, 2013, at Bellator 101.[13] He won the fight in dominant fashion via unanimous decision.[14]
Brooks had a rematch with Saad Awad in the semifinal round at Bellator 105 on October 25, 2013, and dominated the fight for all three rounds, winning a unanimous decision victory.[15]
Brooks faced Alexander Sarnavskiy in the finals at Bellator 109 on November 22, 2013.[16] He won the fight via dominant unanimous decision to earn a future title shot at the Lightweight title.[17]
With Bellator Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez leaving the promotion, Brooks faced Michael Chandler in a rematch at Bellator 131 on November 15, 2014, for the vacant Bellator Lightweight Championship.[20] He won the fight via TKO in the fourth round to become the undisputed Bellator Lightweight Champion.[21]
Brooks made his first title defense against long-awaited challenger Dave Jansen at Bellator 136 on April 10, 2015.[22] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[23]
Brooks made his second defense against Marcin Held on November 6, 2015, at Bellator 145.[24] Despite Held popping Brooks' knee in the opening round, Brooks continued on and won the fight via unanimous decision to retain the Bellator Lightweight Championship.[25]
On May 14, 2016, Brooks was released from Bellator MMA as the promotion decided not to renew his contract.[26]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
On June 15, 2016, it was announced that Brooks had signed a six-fight deal with the UFC. He made his promotional debut against Ross Pearson on July 8, 2016, at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale.[27] Brooks won the fight by unanimous decision.[28]
Brooks next faced Alex Oliveira on October 1, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 96.[29] The bout took place at a catchweight of 161.5 lbs, as Oliveira missed weight. Brooks lost the fight via KO in the third round.[30]
Brooks faced Charles Oliveira on April 8, 2017, at UFC 210.[31] He lost the fight by rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[32]
Brooks was scheduled to face Nik Lentz on October 7, 2017, at UFC 216.[33] However the pairing was scrapped during the weigh-ins for the event, as Lentz was stricken with "medical issues" and deemed unfit to compete.[34] The pairing with Lentz was rescheduled and eventually took take place on November 19, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 121.[35] Brooks lost the fight via submission in the second round.[36]
On February 14, 2018, Brooks announced via social media that he had been officially released from the UFC after a 4 fight stint.[37]
Professional Fighters League
Following his departure from the UFC, Brooks announced he had signed a deal with the Professional Fighters League and he would be entering the promotion's one million dollar tournament.[37]
PFL season 2018
In his debut, Brooks faced Luiz Firmino at PFL 2 on June 21, 2018.[38] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[39]
In his second fight in the Lightweight tournament, Brooks faced Robert Watley on August 2, 2018, at PFL 5.[40] He won the fight by unanimous decision and advanced to the playoffs.[41]
In the quarterfinal bout Brooks faced Rashid Magomedov at PFL 9 on October 13, 2018.[42] The bout ended in a unanimous draw, but Brooks was eliminated from the tournament via first-round tiebreaker.[43]
In the end of January 2019, Brooks announced in social media that he became a free agent after the inaugural season of PFL.[44]
Post-PFL career
Brooks was expected to face Abel Trujillo at Battlefield FC 2 on July 27, 2019, but Trujillo was withdrawn from the bout and was replaced by Brooks' teammate Gleison Tibau.[45] He lost the fight via first-round submission, tho the stoppage was controversial as the ref mistakenly thought Brooks was unconscious. [46]
On March 30, 2020, news surfaced that Brooks had signed a contract with ARES FC.[47]
Brooks faced Steven Siler on July 30, 2021 at XMMA 2.[48] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[49]
Brooks faced Jose Filho at Art of Scrap 3 on October 30, 2021. He won the bout via rear-naked choke submission in the third round.[50]
Brooks faced Rafael Bastos on April 15, 2022 at Art of Scrap 4.[51] He won the fight via TKO due to injury after Bastos broke his leg early in the first round.[52]
Brooks faced Luis Peña at XMMA 5 on July 23, 2022.[53] He won the bout via split decision.[54]
Brooks faced Jhonasky Sojo at Titan FC 81 on April 14, 2023.[55] He won the bout via rear-naked choke in the third round.[56]
Brooks faced Predrag Bogdanović at Titan FC 82/ SBC 47: Revenge on June 2, 2023 for Titan FC Welterweight Championship and SBC Welterweight Championship. He won the bout via technical knockout in the fifth round.[57]
