“I was listening to a little bit of everybody” - Jarred Brooks says the voices in his corner were key to world title victory

Newly crowned ONE interim strawweight MMA world champion 'The Monkey God' Jarred Brooks of the United States says the key to beating former Cuban Olympian 'El Gladiador' Gustavo Balart last weekend was listening to his coaches, who were giving him advice in the corner during the fight.

Brooks defeated Balart by first-round rear-naked choke last weekend to capture the interim strawweight MMA crown, but not before facing some adversity from 'El Gladiador'.

Speaking in the official ONE Fight Night 24 post-fight interview backstage, Brooks said it was his coaches' advice that got him through the match.

'The Monkey God' stated:

"I was listening to a little bit of everybody in the match. James and Alex really took it over. Harper, he's probably one of those guys that keeps quiet but he's very vocal when the time comes. And I was hearing a little bit of everything. I remember Alex when I had that body triangle. He was telling me to stay tight, chest to back, as tight as I could. And I think that really helped me gain that rear-naked choke and that body triangle."

Jarred Brooks admits Gustavo Balart was packing some serious heat: "That guy has some power"

Jarred Brooks made it look very easy against Gustavo Balart at ONE Fight Night 24. But 'The Monkey God' said the victory was anything but that because he really felt 'El Gladiador's' heavy hands.

He told ONE:

"There’s a difference between thinking you’re gonna do something and then when you’re in the ring it’s completely different. He’s small but man, that guy has some power. He definitely has power."

ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart took place live from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Saturday, August 3. Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action via replay on-demand on Amazon Prime Video.