"Showing weakness is my best strength" - Jarred Brooks bares all for world championship success
Top-ranked strawweight MMA contender Jarred Brooks doesn't mind putting his flaws out in the open because it helps him improve as a fighter.
The Mash Fight Team representative, who stars in the main event of ONE Fight Night 24 alongside No.3-ranked Gustavo Balart, believes no fighter is perfect.
While some may be of the opinion that they do not necessarily have any weaknesses in their game, Jarred Brooks is quick to counter that theory.
Speaking to Sherdog.com before he steps inside the hallowed ring of the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, 'The Monkey God' said:
"My dad made me grow up like a Spartan, and there was no weakness; but showing weakness is my best strength because even when I show the worst parts of me, you still can't beat me mentally, physically, or spiritually."
The 31-year-old athlete heads into his ONE interim strawweight MMA world championship fixture against Gustavo Balart on the back of two successive losses under the promotional spotlight.
Though one of those defeats came in submission grappling - to Mikey Musumeci - the American athlete is eager to put his unfortunate DQ loss to Joshua Pacio at ONE 166: Qatar to bed.
After all, should he get his hand raised on August 2, Brooks will more than just gain the interim belt that will be on offer inside the Mecca of Muay Thai – he'd also secure a ticket to unify the division's 26 pounds of gold as and when Pacio returns to action after his latest setback.
Jarred Brooks' keys to victory over Gustavo Balart
While Balart will undoubtedly be fired up and motivated to upset Jarred Brooks inside the Thai capital city, the latter should have it in him to claim ONE gold come fight night.
Brooks, however, must set up his takedowns more effectively, as Balart's low center of gravity would make it easy for him to read and counter any obvious attempts to switch levels.
If he gets that out of the way, the Indiana native has enough submissions in his arsenal to force a tap from 'El Gladiador.' Should that fail, the 31-year-old can rely on his hammerfists and elbows on the ground to punch his way to a TKO triumph.
North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription can catch the entire ONE Fight Night 24 card for free.