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American fighter Jarred Brooks does not underestimate upcoming opponent Gustavo Balart despite being the younger fighter. He said that the Cuban veteran remains as dangerous as it gets, as most experienced fighters are in the Caribbean country.
'The Monkey God' will battle 'El Gladiador' for the interim strawweight championship belt at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video on Aug. 2. It will be the headlining contest of the event happening at the famed Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
In an interview with Sportskeeda MMA, in line with his scheduled fight, Jarred Brooks, 31, highlighted how being younger does not guarantee outright victory against a fighter like 37-year-old Balart, who he said remains on top of his game even at this stage of his career.
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He said:
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"The only thing I got to say about age is that it hits a few people, but it doesn't hit Cubans for some reason. It just does not his Cubans -- that's it."
No. 3 strawweight title contender Balart has been on a tear of late, winning his last four fights, the most recent over Japanese Hiroba Minowa back in January by split decision.
Meanwhile, top contender Brooks seeks to win the interim belt after losing the strawweight title in his last fight in March against Filipino Joshua Pacio by disqualification for an illegal spike in the opening round.
ONE Championship is holding an interim strawweight championship fight because Pacio is out indefinitely for suffering an ACL tear in his right knee and is in the process of rehabbing.
ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart is available live and for free to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.
Joshua Pacio says Jarred Brooks-Gustavo Balart interim title clash has to happen
ONE strawweight MMA world champion Joshua Pacio wants to be out on the field competing but he is for top contenders Jarred Brooks and Gustavo Balart disputing an interim championship belt to keep things moving in the division.
'The Passion' is currently out indefinitely after suffering an ACL tear in his right knee and is rehabbing. It has prompted ONE Championship to set up an interim title showdown between Brooks and Balart, which will take place at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video on Aug. 2 in Bangkok, Thailand.
In an interview with Spin.ph, Pacio shared his thoughts on the showdown between 'The Monkey God' and 'El Gladiador', saying:
"You know how much I want to be back in there competing, but my physical condition prevents me from doing so. [But] it is what it is. The division needs to move forward and determine the next contender, or in this case, the next interim champion."
Pacio reclaimed the ONE strawweight MMA world title back in March after erstwhile champion Jarred Brooks was disqualified in their title rematch by throwing down an illegal spike in the opening round that saw the Filipino hitting the canvas head-first.
