Interim strawweight MMA kingpin Jarred Brooks not impressed by Mansur Malachiev’s latest win: “I thought Bokang had it”
ONE interim strawweight MMA world champion Jarred Brooks is not too impressed with the latest win of division rival Mansur Malachiev. He said the showing of the Russian left much to be desired, even not worthy of a win.
Malachiev saw action at ONE Fight Night 25: Nicolas vs. Eersel II on Oct. 4 in Thailand, where he defeated South African Bokang Mansuyane by decision in their all-contender strawweight showdown. While he won the contest, the Dagestani fighter had to dig deep to survive the tough stand put up by 'Little Giant.'
In an interview with Sportskeeda MMA, Jarred Brooks shared his take on the Bokang-Malachiev match and his thoughts on the Russian fighter, saying:
"I thought Bokang had it. Mansur has these close fights all the time."
The win over Bokang was the third in four matches for Malachiev in ONE Championship. He has enhanced his standing as an emerging force in the strawweight division currently topped by interim kingpin Brooks and reigning champion but currently injured Joshua Pacio.
Jarred Brooks eyeing vacant flyweight MMA world title
Apart from unifying the ONE strawweight MMA belts, Jarred Brooks is also keenly looking at vying for the flyweight strap recently vacated by American legend Demetrious Johnson.
'The Monkey God' made this known in an interview with the BODYSLAM.NET Pro Wrestling podcast last month, highlighting how adding the flyweight gold would enhance further his stature as among the best in the game right now.
Jarred Brooks said:
"I know that Demetrious just gave up his belt. And if they wanted me to go against the ranked number one or ranked number two contender ... I don't care if I have to fight two fights to get a ticket to that belt. If I'm a double champ, it's very hard to not recognize me as one of the best in the world in my weight class."
Brooks is determined to become a double-champion since entering ONE Championship in November 2021. After he seized the strawweight belt in December 2022 over longtime champion Joshua Pacio, he went on to challenge former flyweight submission grappling champion Mikey Musumeci eight months later. He, however, lost by submission.
Back in March, Jarred Brooks lost the strawweight belt to Pacio in their rematch by disqualification (illegal slam). But, he bounced back in August to claim the interim belt with a submission win over Cuban Gustavo Balart.