“I love changing shitty diapers at the end of the day” - Jarred Brooks says becoming a father has changed his mentality as an athlete
Newly crowned ONE interim strawweight MMA world champion 'The Monkey God' Jarred Brooks of the United States believes he's a new man after recently welcoming his firstborn daughter, Naomi Brooks, to the world.
Becoming a dad has certainly changed 'The Monkey God's perspective on life and on his MMA career for the better, and that showed in his recent performance at ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart on Prime Video last week.
The 31-year-old Mash Fight Team representative made quick work of former Cuban Olympian 'El Gladiador' Gustavo Balart, winning by first-round rear-naked choke to capture the ONE interim strawweight MMA world title.
Brooks says a lot of the credit has to go to his family, especially his daughter, who made him a better person.
He told ONE Championship in his post-fight interview:
"You might have struggles in camp, you might have struggles in life, but when you see that, everything just disappears, and you just see that big grin. It's the best thing, man, and it really has changed me as a person, and it's changed me as an athlete as well, and my hunger and my drive towards this sport. I love changing shitty diapers at the end of the day. Like I said, everything, from the nasty stuff to the beautiful stuff. It's a privilege."
ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart took place live from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Saturday, August 3rd. Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action via replay on-demand on Amazon Prime Video.
Jarred Brooks on often being overlooked: "I think everybody's just going to keep on sleeping on me until I put them to sleep"
Jarred Brooks is no stranger to being underestimated, but he has come to terms with it. Instead, 'The Monkey God' wants to prove his worth with his performances in the Circle and let his body of work speak for itself.
He told ONE:
"100 percent. I think everybody's just going to keep on sleeping on me until I put them to sleep. It doesn't matter. I went against Pacio out and I beat Pacio on the feet. I went against a Cuban Olympian, I beat an Olympian on the ground. And I took him down twice in his own game, which is Greco-Roman."