"There are steps and levels to this game" - Jarred Brooks says Gustavo Balart will be in for a rude awakening
Former strawweight kingpin Jarred Brooks believes his rival Gustavo Balart is in for a rude awakening if his MMA skills aren't up to par. The American superstar has another chance to become a world-renowned champion if he defeats Gustavo Balart for the coveted interim belt at ONE Fight Night 24 in Thailand.
After gathering up an impressive four-fight run in ONE Championship before losing his belt to Joshua Pacio via disqualification, Brooks proved that he can do it all. From striking to grappling, Brooks is the real deal.
And if he had more time with Pacio in their rematch, it's quite possible that he would've dominated the Filipino star with any style of his choosing. So, the hope for Brooks this time is to frustrate Balart with his versatility and well-rounded game plan.
"I'm going to show Gustavo that there are steps and levels to this game too," Brooks told the South China Morning Post. "He hasn't been in this fight game as long as I have. He's been in the wrestling game for just as long as me. So I do see him wanting to wrestle, but at the end of the day, man, this is a fight and we're in a ring."
Watch the full interview below:
ONE Fight Night 24 will air live in US Primetime, free of charge for Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.
Jarred Brooks is excited to put his MMA skills on full display on August 2
Jarred Brooks is excited to showcase a new and improved version of himself when he goes toe-to-toe with Gustavo Balart on Aug. 2.
The American standout has always wanted to demonstrate that he's more well-rounded than people take him for.
In times like these, MMA fighters have to specialize in more than one area or discipline in fighting. These include kickboxing, boxing, jiu-jitsu, and wrestling to have an advantage right off the onset.
Brooks, in his case, has had to step out of his comfort zone and delve into the striking arts ahead of this match. He's hopeful that he'll show a more evolved version of himself.
He told ONE:
"I think that people are going to see a different version of Jarred Brooks this time around. I know that my capabilities speak louder than my words."