ONE Championship will have three World Championship rematches headlining ONE 166: Qatar on Friday, March 1. In one of those bouts, ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Jarred Brooks will try to take out Joshua Pacio once again. Reigning over the division in a dominant fashion makes “The Monkey God” feel unstoppable.
“Dude, I eliminated everybody. I’m a Terminator. All these guys are Predators. They’ll go out, and they’ll hunt all day. But when that other predator comes around, you know it shows. So I’m a Terminator. I go until the end and I’m ready to show the world that I am still the best in the world. Strawweight, and hopefully, I could show the world that I’m the best flyweight,” Brooks told ONE.
Brooks is clear that he is not looking past Pacio in the rematch. He watched what the Filipino star showed against Mansur Malachiev, and he has gone back to break down their first encounter. As a new father, “The Monkey God” is reinvigorated to remain on his throne to provide for his daughter.
Since winning the gold, Brooks has been developing all of his skills. The reigning strawweight king believes he will show off his improvements in Qatar with devastating results. Brooks wants to cash a $50,000 performance bonus check after retaining his belt.
“I’m mostly known for just being somebody with one tool on their tool belt. Right now, I’m way better than [the old] Jarred Brooks. My tools have gotten so much better from a year ago. I’ve watched Joshua and I’s fight like at least 100 times. And I do it in slow motion. So I’m very keen on what Joshua Pacio brings out in that first fight at least, and all of the hints from his past fights,” Brooks stated.
In an ideal scenario, the Michigan resident wants to end the bout early. Brooks does not get paid by the minute and wants to end the rivalry without questions about who is the better man. The ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion is on a mission to prove himself to everybody on March 1.
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“I want it to be quick. I want it to be swift. And I want it to surprise him and surprise all of the people in Qatar and surprise Chatri [Sityodtong] that I actually have a really big knockout power for the size that I am,” Brooks admitted.
“The Monkey God” has always been outspoken and called his shots. That is why although he is focused on Pacio, he also keeps Demetrious Johnson at the forefront of his mind. But no matter what comes after ONE 166, he is confident he will get his hand raised.
“I am not worried about anybody across from me. I’m worried about myself and my biggest enemy is myself. I always defeat myself every time I step in the cage, and I look at my opponent, and I’m just like, let’s go. I am so like that right now. I’m just pumped. I’m ready to fight Joshua Pacio. I’m ready to fight Demetrious Johnson or whoever they want to put in front of me, like I’ve been training so hard, bro. It’s not even funny,” the strawweight said.
Everything now is for his daughter. Brooks was always motivated to win, but now it is about a bigger goal in life. With each match and title defense, “The Monkey God” sees a way to provide his firstborn with a bigger and better life.
“I think that all of my opponents, they need to watch out because, you know, you hear this crying baby in the background, and she is the biggest thing to me. And I thought mixed martial arts was and I thought that’s what I wanted to kill for. I am so ready to rip all of your heads off and get that money for my baby just to get her some food and to make sure that she has the best life possible. I’m gonna get college tuition paid for her through all of your guys’s heads. I appreciate you. I love you. But it’s got to happen,” Brooks said.
ONE 166: Qatar airs live on Friday, March 1. The action begins at 7:30 a.m. EST/4:30 a.m. PST. The event is available for free on Prime Video.
