Jarred Brooks on fighters who are afraid to show emotion: “They don't understand themselves”

Jarred Brooks is not afraid to let his emotions show inside the ONE Circle.

Five months removed from a devastating disqualification loss in Qatar that cost him the undisputed strawweight MMA world title, 'The Monkey God' will once again have the chance to wrap 26 pounds of gold around his waist this Friday night, August 2.

Returning to the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, Jarred Brooks will square off with streaking Cuban standout Gustavo Balart for the interim ONE strawweight MMA world championship in the ONE Fight Night 24 headliner.

Ahead of their highly anticipated scrap in the Mecca of Muay Thai, Jarred Brooks spoke with the promotion about his penchant for wearing his heart on his sleeve, even on martial arts' biggest global stage.

"Me showing my emotions openly? I have no problem with doing that because it doesn't hold me back spiritually or emotionally," Brooks said. "And if people try to judge me for that, then they just don't understand, you know, emotions and they don't understand themselves."

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Gustavo Balart no longer eligible to win interim title, even with a win over Jarred Brooks

Riding a four-fight win streak going into his first ONE world title opportunity, Gustavo Balart was primed to shock the world and leave The Land of Smiles with ONE Championship gold wrapped around his waist.

Unfortunately, that is no longer possible — even if he wins.

24 hours before fight night, Balart failed to meet the weight and hydration requirements for his interim title tilt with 'The Monkey God.' As a result, their bout will have to be rescheduled as a catchweight clash with only Brooks, who successfully made weight and hydration, eligible to win the belt.

This is the second straight Fight Night event where a title fight has seen only one of its combatants eligible to win the crown. Last month, ONE newcomer Alibeg Rasulov failed to meet hydration for his interim lightweight MMA championship bout with Ok Rae Yoon at ONE Fight Night 23.

Balart could still land himself a title fight with undisputed strawweight champ Joshua Pacio should he score a convincing enough win against Jarred Brooks, but he'll be no longer guaranteed that opportunity with a victory in Bangkok.

ONE Championship fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE Fight Night 24 live and for free via Amazon Prime Video in U.S. primetime on Friday, August 2.