"He's an Olympian" - Jarred Brooks honored to duel against a fellow credentialed wrestler like Gustavo Balart
Jarred Brooks has always been focused on wanting to compete against the best in the world in order to prove that he belongs at the top.
The American has proven this during his time in ONE Championship where he has taken on any and all comers.
In the main event of ONE Fight Night 24 inside Lumpinee Stadium, Brooks will face one of the few top strawweights that he has yet to meet.
'The Monkey God' will be competing for the interim strawweight world championship against Cuba's Gustavo Balart.
After losing his title in wildly unpredictable circumstances at ONE 166 earlier this year, Brooks is looking to reclaim a piece of the gold, but he's also looking forward to this specific clash of styles.
He spoke exclusively to Sportskeeda MMA about how facing off with a credentialed wrestler is an exciting box for him to check in his career:
"I'm super happy to be facing someone with the prowess of his capacity. I mean, bro, he's an Olympian. I don't think I've fought an Olympian so it's gonne be something checked off the list."
Jarred Brooks can't underestimate Gustavo Balart
Jarred Brooks tends to talk a big game before fight night, but that doesn't mean he underestimates opponents.
The former champion already knows about his opponent's wrestling pedigree, having competed in the Olympics in 2012.
Considering that Brooks also tends to use his grappling as his biggest weapon inside the Circle, the approach from both men will be interesting to see come August 2.
'The Monkey God' won't mind how he gets the win as long as he comes away with the interim title.
ONE Fight Night 23 will air live in US Primetime, free of charge for Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.