“That’s his edge” - Lito Adiwang says Jarred Brooks’ transitions are the most underrated tools in his game
Filipino strawweight fighter Lito Adiwang has taken note of the many facets of American champion Jarred Brooks' game, including transitions that believes are underrated.
'Thunder Kid' shared his thoughts on 'The Monkey God' as a fighter in an interview with Sportskeeda MMA, making use of Brooks' showdown with Filipino rival Joshua Pacio back in March to make his point.
Soma Fight Club's Adiwang said:
"Another thing is Jarred's transitions. Even if they [against Pacio] had a short fight last time, you can see that on full display. Jarred was shooting for a takedown and suddenly, he's on Joshua's back. That's his edge, really, he goes from step one, two and three in quick succession, unlike others who go one way and then go to the next step if it fails."
Brooks was on top of things in his title rematch with Pacio at ONE 166: Qatar on March 1. Unfortunately for him, he found himself executing an illegal slam that saw 'The Passion' hitting the canvas head first. The move automatically earned him a disqualification, forcing him in the process to give the ONE strawweght MMA world title to his opponent, from whom he took it in December 2022.
The Mash Fight Team standout, however, bounced back in August, claiming the interim strawweight belt with a first-round submission victory (rear-naked choke) over Cuban Gustavo Balart. ONE Championship held an interim strawweight championship fight because Pacio is out indefinitely for the ACL injury he sustained even before the rematch with Brooks.
Meanwhile, Lito Adiwang is no longer a stranger to the transitions of Brooks, having experienced it in their match in November 2021, which he lost by submission (arm-triangle choke) in the second round.
Lito Adiwang no longer bothered by Jarred Brooks' trash-talking
While many opponents are easily riled up by the trash-taking of Jarred Brooks, Lito Adiwang said for his part he no longer is, dismissing it as only for show for 'The Monkey God' to hype up his matches.
The Indonesia-based Filipino fighter shared this in a conversation with Sportskeeda MMA, highlighting how Brooks' smack talk is no longer an issue for him unlike when they first met in the American's ONE debut three years ago.
Lito Adiwang said:
"That's [trash-talking] fine for me. At least for me. And not a lot of fighters have found how to break it. That's why I'm really on it now, and I really want to face him again. But his trash-talking is OK, it's his way of marketing his fights. In the U.S. it's common, while in our side of the world, we're only starting to adapt it."
Lito Adiwang has been streaking of late, winning three straight since returning from a knee injury and putting himself for a possible rematch with Brooks down the line.