Jarred Brooks says critics will always find a way to discredit him, even if he beats Gustavo Balart: “I just knocked out a little guy”
Former ONE strawweight MMA world champion and current first-ranked contender 'The Monkey God' Jarred Brooks of the United States is in a catch-22 situation.
On one hand, if he defeats upcoming opponent Gustavo Balart in dominant fashion at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video next week, he will yet again become a ONE world champion.
On the other hand, if he beats Balart, he will be criticized for taking on a much smaller opponent, with a lesser pedigree, to get to the top.
In Brooks' eyes, it's a damned if he does, damned if he doesn't kind of spot, and it's something he has to deal with.
Speaking to the South China Morning Post in a recent interview, Brooks talked about his upcoming showdown with the former Cuban Olympian.
'The Monkey God' said:
"I'm just saying, from a Westerner's eye, they're going to be like, dude, this is, even if I knock out Gustavo Balart, I just knocked out a little guy. You know what I mean? That's no disrespect to Gustavo."
Brooks added:
"It just sucks, because I feel the best I've ever had in a camp, which is usually about every camp, but last camp had a lot of aches and pains. I was overworking myself, and I didn't have time to where I could get better because I was just focused on him and focused on conditioning and the things that played well in that first fight.
"But this time, I went through an incubation process to where I actually understand what I need to do and understand how I'm going to beat, one of the up and comers that are coming up."
Jarred Brooks and Gustavo Balart battle for interim strawweight gold at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video
'The Monkey God' Jarred Brooks is set to lock horns with 'El Gladiador' Gustavo Balart for the ONE interim strawweight MMA world title in the main event at ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart on Prime Video.
The event broadcasts live from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, August 2nd.
Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and absolutely free on Amazon Prime Video.