ONE Fight Night 26 preview and predictions: Reece McLaren vs. Jarred Brooks
The vacant flyweight MMA throne is open for the taking and both Reece McLaren and Jarred Brooks are looking to throw their hat in the ring.
A crucial match-up in the 135-pound division will take place this coming Friday when 'Lightning' meets 'The Monkey God' at ONE Fight Night 26: Lee vs. Rasulov on Prime Video.
A mainstay in the flyweight MMA division, the No. 4-ranked contender McLaren is eager to give the interim strawweight MMA world champion a rude welcome in the higher weight class and secure that elusive world title shot.
Brooks, on the other hand, is on a quest for two-division supremacy and is eager to jump the line of contention by beating the Australian hotshot.
As always, Sportskeeda MMA's ONE Championship panel gathered their thoughts and predictions for this can't three-round battle.
ONE Fight Night 26 will emanate from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The full event will air live in US primetime on Dec. 6, free of charge for Prime Video subscribers in North America.
Mike Murrillo
Brooks-McLaren is one of the more entertaining contests at ONE Fight Night 26, and the outcome is a toss-up considering what the combatants can bring to the table. However, I’m going out on a limb here and say it is McLaren who wins by TKO in the third round.
I say ‘Lightning’ because I see his size advantage being a huge factor in this one and having competed in the flyweight lane for a far extended period, he should be a handful to ‘The Monkey God’ come fight night.
Also, a grand opportunity for a safe lane to a shot at the currently vacant ONE flyweight world title in the event of a win should serve as an extra push for a longtime campaigner out to realize his world championship goals.
Of course, that Brooks is considered a favorite in this one is not without basis. He is, after all, a world champion at strawweight and has stepped up in big fights.
Brooks will present a challenge in the early goings of the match but eventually will be overwhelmed by the frenetic activity and the size of McLaren.
Prediction: McLaren via third-round TKO
James De Rozario
Jarred Brooks' is going to have a tough time dealing with Reece McLaren in this certified banger, but I do see him crossing the finish line with a positive end to his 2024 campaign.
The key to victory for 'The Monkey God' will be his ability to back his grappling with his speed. 'Lightning' hasn't really dealt with someone as speedy as Brooks there, so he would struggle to keep up with the former's pace.
On the feet, both fighters will have their success, though I see the striking exchanges being a mere method for both warriors to get things back in their domain on the canvas.
Everything will be determined there, and as crafty as McLaren can be with his jiu-jitsu, Jarred Brooks' just about edges the No. 4-ranked flyweight MMA contender in his area of expertise.
Prediction: Brooks via decision
Vince Richards
This is a fight that is intriguing, to say the least.
Reece McLaren has always been one of the best flyweight MMA fighters in ONE Championship and he’ll take on the Jarred Brooks in the latter’s first fight in the division.
Both fighters have grappling bases, but I see McLaren using his almost five-inch reach advantage to clip Brooks from distance.
McLaren has proven he can finish people off, but I don’t see him knocking Brooks out in Bangkok. I do expect ‘Lightning’ to dictate much of the proceedings on the feet and keep the ONE interim strawweight MMA world champion at bay.
This is not a knock on Brooks, but McLaren is far too crafty to be dominated on the ground.
I don’t see this fight ending in a finish, but I do see McLaren taking a methodical decision win.
Prediction: McLaren via decision