“It doesn't matter” - Jarred Brooks has come to terms with being underestimated
Strawweight MMA fighter Jarred Brooks has established himself a steady and solid career but believes he has not gotten the respect he truly deserves. However, the American said he is already used to it and is just going to continue doing his business of beating opponents that come his way.
'The Monkey God' moved to highlight this following his latest victory at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video on Aug. 2 in Thailand, where he claimed the interim ONE strawweight MMA world title with a submission victory over Gustavo Balart of Cuba.
Brooks, 31, said in the post-fight interview session:
"100 percent [I'm being underestimated by others]. 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 [Joshua] Pacio 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."
Jarred Brooks was immediately in the face of Balart at ONE Fight Night 24, going for a takedown and was top-notch with his grappling. He eventually secured the back of 'El Gladiador' and did not let go of it, finishing things with a rear-naked choke that saw Balart tap out with 21 seconds to go in the opening round.
The win was a bounce-back for Brooks, who lost the ONE strawweight world title in his previous fight in March to Filipino rival Joshua Pacio by disqualification for executing an illegal slam in the opening round.
He is now looking to having a unification bout with Pacio after claiming the interim belt when 'The Passion' is up and healthy from the ACL injury he suffered even before he took on Jarred Brooks.
Jarred Brooks also interested in taking on Demetrious Johnson
A unification bout in the strawweight division remains a top priority for Jarred Brooks but he is open to every option available until that happens, including a showdown with ONE flyweight king and MMA legend Demetrious Johnson.
The American fighter hyped a possible clash with 'Mighty Mouse' following his latest victory at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video on Aug. 2 in Thailand, where he claimed the interim strawweight MMA world title.
He highlighted that a Johnson-Brooks showdown is something that fight fans will surely enjoy and, thus, needs to happen, saying:
"I'm 31 years old. This is just the start. I'm coming in and, as I said, I'm looking for GOAT meat and I think that Demetrious Johnson, if he wants to fight me, I know it's completely up to him and completely up to [ONE Chairman and CEO] Chatri [Sityodtong] and ONE Championship. But I feel like that's the money fight, and that's the way to go."
Johnson has not competed in ONE since he successfully defended the flyweight gold against Brazilian rival Adriano Moraes in May last year in the United States.