Jarred Brooks Plans To Show “A Different Version” Of “The Monkey God” At ONE Fight Night 24

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Former ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Jarred Brooks is hell bent on retaking the weight bracket's throne. But the path he must walk to do so leads directly through ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart next month.

"The Monkey God" meets #3-ranked contender Gustavo Balart for the ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Title on Saturday, 3 August, inside Bangkok, Thailand's Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.

After losing his gold in unfortunate circumstances, Brooks is out to show why he believes he's the real World Champion. He parted ways with the belt after accidentally spiking Joshua Pacio on his head in March at ONE 166: Qatar.

The bout ended in just 56 seconds. Brooks feels he has taken plenty away from the incident, and he's ready to show why he's the best at ONE Fight Night 24.

"It just makes me even hungrier. God puts these tests in front of me, and I have to knock them down. I'm humbled by the experience," Brooks said.

"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, so hopefully you guys will see my capabilities in full steam against Gustavo Balart."

Brooks has cemented himself as a top dog in the division. But the American cannot underestimate Balart by any stretch. The Cuban might be one of the smallest combatants around, but he's certainly one of the mightiest in the weight bracket.

"El Gladiador" currently rides a four fight winning streak. He's beaten former champs and ranked contenders in Alex Silva, Yosuke Saruta, and, most recently, Hiroba Minowa at ONE 165 in January to earn an opportunity at the interim crown.

With that said, Brooks believes he's got Balart's number. He knows his strengths and his weaknesses, including the Cuban's love of a brawl. But the American insists he's the more composed fighter, and he plans to use Balart's size against him.

"[Balart] is like a torpedo that first two rounds. You can hit him, and he's just gonna keep on coming forward. He doesn't care. He's just gonna hit you with those leg kicks and try to swing for the fences until he can reach your chin. So he's tough in that aspect," Brooks said.

"But he's very beatable. You could catch him with a kick to the body or kick to the head. I think the kicks are going to be a big factor in this fight."