3 Reasons Why Strawweight MMA Titleholder Jarred Brooks Could Be A Force At Flyweight
Current ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Champion and former undisputed king Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks is gearing up for his highly anticipated ONE flyweight MMA debut against Australian fan favorite Reece “Lightning” McLaren.
That pivotal clash will go down in U.S. primetime on December 6 at ONE Fight Night 26: Lee vs. Rasulov on Prime Video, which airs live from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
After dominating the strawweight MMA division over the past few years, the outspoken American has made it no small secret that he’s eyeing the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Title and two-sport glory.
His quest for gold in the higher weight class begins with #4-ranked flyweight MMA contender McLaren this Friday. Before the action gets underway, these are three reasons why Brooks has all the makings of a dangerous contender in the 135-pound division.
#1 His Ape-Like Strength And Grappling
Understandably, many fans and pundits have questioned if Brooks has the size and physicality needed to compete against the planet’s best flyweight mixed martial artists. In fact, McLaren is among those who believe the 125-pound titleholder is simply too small.
Stylistically, though, the aptly named “Monkey God” possesses the ape-like strength and crushing grappling ability that should translate well to a higher weight class. If anything, Brooks will have the option to pack on 10 more pounds of muscle, making him an even more effective takedown artist and submission hunter.
Questions about the 31-year-old’s physicality will be answered on December 6, but he’s already proven time and time again to be one of MMA’s strongest pound-for-pound athletes.
#2 His World Championship Experience
Brooks will come into ONE Fight Night 26 following four straight World Title contests – including an unsuccessful bid for the ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Title.
Simply put, the Michigan resident is no stranger to competing in high-pressure, World Championship situations when the lights are brightest. This will be invaluable as he chases the vacant flyweight MMA throne.
Importantly, only one man in the flyweight MMA top-five rankings has held a ONE World Title, so Brooks, with his ample experience in World Championship bouts, has already set himself apart from the pack.
#3 He’s Competed At Higher Weight Classes
While “The Monkey God” will be making his ONE flyweight MMA debut against McLaren, he has no shortage of experience competing at flyweight – and even higher weight classes – outside of the world’s largest martial arts organization.
Prior to joining ONE in 2021, he had enjoyed a successful career in some of MMA’s most prominent promotions while almost exclusively competing at flyweight. He is even undefeated in amateur and professional bouts at bantamweight – full two weight classes above strawweight.
In short, Brooks has already shown that his elite skills and brutal strength can carry him to victory against significantly larger opponents.
