Will Brooks and the 5 Best Fighters in Bellator Right Now

Bellator MMA has carved itself a nice spot in the mixed martial arts community. With the return of Scott Coker as the organization’s president, there seems to be a growing air of confidence that the promotion is heading in a better direction, per Sports Illustrated. Unfortunately, one of the toughest challenges in the MMA industry is to create stars that fans want to see. Bellator continues to work on this process and with that in mind, here is a look at some of the best fighters it has on its roster.

This list includes some of its current champions and other fighters who are worth a view. If these men and women were free agents it would not be a far cry to see them land in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Will Brooks

USA TODAY Sports

Will Brooks is now recognized as the true Bellator lightweight champion.

The current Bellator lightweight champion has emerged as a name to watch within the industry as a whole. After his loss to Saad Awad in 2013, he looks like a fighter that is growing by leaps and bounds each time he steps into the cage. Since that night, he’s avenged that defeat and since battered Michael Chandler twice.

With lightweight being one of the deepest divisions in the sport, there are a number of men who can be brought into Bellator to challenge Brooks, along with a long list of potential candidates on roster. If he continues to knock off challengers, Brooks can find himself climbing the sport's rankings while increasing his value if he is to become a free agent.

Patricio Freire

Bellator MMA

Patricio Freire has taken over the 145 pound division.

Patricio “Pitbull” Freire has looked like a man possessed with only one goal: win the 145-pound title. He did so this year when he defeated Pat Curran at Bellator 123. This allowed him to avenge one of two career losses and prove that he is a force within this weight class.

With his upcoming defense planned against Daniel Straus on January 16, this will be the first test of his title reign. If he can get by the former champion, then he should solidify himself as a man to watch within this weight class

Joe Warren

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Joe Warren is Bellator's first two-division champion.

Joe Warren may be 38 years of age, but he’s fighting like that number doesn’t matter. He’s riding a five-fight win streak that includes a recent defeat of Eduardo Dantas. He’s the only two-division champion in Bellator history, which is a claim that has earned him a spot on this list.

Warren is defending his title against Marcos Galvao on March 27, and it will be interesting to see if he can continue to shock the field at this point in his career.

Douglas Lima

Bellator MMA

Douglas Limas has ruled the welterweight division.

Douglas Lima has flown under the radar in one of the sport’s most competitive divisions. The welterweight champion has held the title and dominated all the competition sent his way not named Ben Askren. Lima truly has value that could be appreciated by a wider group of fans if the opportunity presented itself. Seven of his eight Bellator wins have been by stoppage, and the MMA community loves fighters who can end bouts in violence.

Frequent injuries have hampered much of Lima’s career, but if the 26-year-old can get those issues in check, he can quickly become the face of the promotion, as reported by MMA Junkie.

Emanuel Newton

USA TODAY Sports

Emanuel Newton deserves respect as the 205-pound champion.

Emanuel Newton holds the title in the 205-pound division, but he has the largest question mark as to whether he will become a dominating champion. Perhaps it is his physique or background story, but he does not present the “typical” archetype of what mainstream fans have come to accept.

Still, he has proved that he belongs with seven straight wins. In 2013 he competed four times, which includes defeating Muhammed Lawal twice. As he sets up to face Liam McGeary in February, he will see what may be his toughest test available at this time within the promotion. A win over Liam will help his claim to be one of the best within the promotion.

Marloes Coenen

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Marloes Coenen is a name worth watching in women's MMA.

Marloes Coenen is a name of importance within women’s mixed martial arts. She was recently signed by the promotion as they are working to rebuild their women’s roster, per MMA Fighting. Coenen has faced a “Who’s-Who” of female fighters that includes Miesha Tate, Sarah Kaufman, Liz Carmouche and Cristiane Justino.

Coenen will be consistently ranked among the women’s bantamweight division, and this is an opportunity to be the face of the group for Bellator MMA.