“I would love to run it back” - Jarred Brooks learns from his defeat against Reece McLaren, vows to make huge comeback

Jarred Brooks isn't done with the flyweight MMA division.

The ONE interim strawweight MMA world champion moved up a weight class in his last fight when he faced off against Reece McLaren at ONE Fight Night 26 this past weekend at the historic Lumpinee Stadium.

Despite a strong start to the three-round fight, Brooks slowed down in the second and third rounds before suffering a heartbreaking split-decision loss to the fourth-ranked flyweight MMA contender.

Taking to Instagram following his defeat, Jarred Brooks wrote he'd love to restart his run in the 135-pound MMA division after he's done with his responsibilities at strawweight.

Brooks also congratulated McLaren for the fight and even called out UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja.

He posted:

"Went up a weight class at 135 to try for greatness on short notice, my head is held high. I thought I did great for short notice against someone who deserved a title shot on short notice. I’m not afraid of anyone, in fact, I would love to run it back after I defend my title here soon!! No losses just lessons! We always stay winning baby!! @pantoja_oficial ain’t got shit on this 25er!"

Brooks and McLaren battled for 15 minutes in an electrifying back-and-forth affair that had the Bangkok crowd at the edge of their seats.

McLaren, however, established his offense and even had a near-submission finish when he trapped Brooks in a tight D'Arce choke late in the third.

Brooks now returns to the 125-pound division to take on ONE strawweight MMA world champion Joshua Pacio in their world title unification match at ONE 171.

Pacio and Brooks will compete in a trilogy match for the undisputed ONE strawweight MMA world title on February 20, 2025, at Lusail Sports Arena in Qatar.

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Jarred Brooks reveals Anatoly Malykhin's gesture at ONE Fight Night 26

Brotherhood has always been present within the ONE Championship roster, and one man who can attest to that is Jarred Brooks.

The ONE interim strawweight MMA world champion revealed on his Instagram Stories that Anatoly Malykhin consoled him after losing to Reece McLaren at ONE Fight Night 26.

The ONE middleweight and light heavyweight MMA world champion was in attendance at Lumpinee Stadium for a fan-meet before ONE Fight Night 26 when he decided to talk to Brooks backstage.

"Is the realest, he literally was the only person there for me after my fight, speaks volumes on his character as a man and a father as well! What a fooking killer too, you will be back," wrote Jarred Brooks.