"Brooks is the real champion" - Mansur Malachiev says interim king Jarred Brooks is better than champ Joshua Pacio

Fifth-ranked strawweight MMA contender Mansur Malachiev treats the division's interim champion, Jarred Brooks, as the true ruler of the 125-pound ranks.

As far as the Russian buzzsaw is concerned, 'The Monkey God' is much superior to strawweight MMA world champion Joshua Pacio.

Despite what their titles suggest, Malachiev sees the American as a bigger threat and the man he eventually wants to fight for 26 pounds of gold.

The 32-year-old Dagestani wrestler told ONE Championship in a recent interview:

“I think Brooks is the real champion, not Pacio. That’s why I would like to fight him the most."

Mansur Malachiev does have an interesting take considering the lone loss of his career came at the hands of 'The Passion'.

Pacio outclassed the Industrial Fighters representative after three grueling rounds of action last year. The Lions Nation MMA fighter went on to win the strawweight MMA crown, albeit via disqualification due to Brooks' illegal slam at ONE 166 last March.

In the meantime, considering Pacio's injury, Malachiev can find himself across the Circle with Brooks if he emerges victorious at ONE Fight Night 25.

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Mansur Malachiev ready for Bokang Masunyane's surprises

Mansur Malachiev could put himself right into world title contention if he beats his second-ranked adversary this coming Friday.

The Russian powerhouse will slug it out with Bokang Masunyane in a pivotal strawweight MMA showdown at ONE Fight Night 25: Nicolas vs. Eersel II on Prime Video.

In the same interview with ONE, Malachiev vowed not to be caught off guard by 'Little Giant's' versatile skillset.

"I have to watch out for a serious punch, and, in general, you can expect a lot of surprises in MMA - it's that kind of sport."

ONE Fight Night 25 will air live in US primetime on Oct.4 from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. This event is free for Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.