Highly-regarded lightweight Will Brooks will make his Octagon debut on Friday, July 8, as he faces Ross Pearson on the TUF 23 Finale card at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Brooks replaces James Krause, who withdrew from the bout. In the main event, Joanna Jedrzejczyk defends her UFC women's strawweight title against Claudie Gadelha.

A pro since 2011, Chicago’s Will Brooks was a top lightweight prospect for years, with wins over UFC vets John Alessio and Drew Dober adding to his reputation. But in the last couple years, “Ill Will” has elevated his game, and after scoring a pair of wins over Michael Chandler and defeating Marcin Held, he will test himself in the UFC Octagon against the veteran Pearson, a former Ultimate Fighter winner who has won two of his last three.