“He looks like a baby” - Jarred Brooks not underestimating Gustavo Balart despite small stature

Former ONE strawweight MMA world champion and current first-ranked divisional contender 'The Monkey God' Jarred Brooks of the United States knows never to underestimate his opponents, no matter how confident he is of victory.

Brooks has experienced success in his career only because he understands the fight game inside and out and because he never takes his foes lightly, including his next opponent.

'The Monkey God' Jarred Brooks is set to face Cuban Olympian 'El Gladiador' Gustavo Balart for the ONE interim strawweight MMA world title, and the 31-year-old American veteran says he holds Balart in high regard.

Speaking to ONE Championship in a recent interview, Brooks had some high praise for Balart.

'The Monkey God' said:

"Don’t get me wrong, I’m gonna bring out the wrestling and everything like that, but just because Gustavo is 4-foot-11, it doesn’t mean that guy isn’t a G. He’s a boss baby. He looks like a baby, but he’ll beat that a**."

Brooks and Balart lock horns in the main event at ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart on Prime Video.

The event broadcasts live from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, August 2.

Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and absolutely free on Amazon Prime Video.

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Jarred Brooks unfazed by Gustavo Balart's Olympic credentials: "You did what you did"

'The Monkey God' Jarred Brooks holds upcoming opponent 'El Gladiador' Gustavo Balart in high regard ahead of their world title showdown at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video, especially the latter's Olympic pedigree.

But the 31-year-old American star says none of that will matter when the two meet in the ring next month.

He told ONE Championship:

"Whatever you’re trying to be, ‘Monkey God 2.0.’ No, bro. You’re not even close. You’re 37 years old. You’re an Olympian. You did what you did. But MMA is my game."