Jarred Brooks fired up to showcase potent striking vs Gustavo Balart: “I can knock somebody out cold”

Best known for his world-class wrestling, Jarred Brooks is ready to show off his knockout power.

'The Monkey God' will get the chance to do exactly that on Friday, August 2, when he returns to the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, for an interim ONE strawweight MMA world title clash with Cuban sensation Gustavo Balart.

It will be Brooks' third-straight championship fight after going 1-1 against reigning undisputed strawweight titleholder Joshua Pacio in his last two outings. This time, he'll face a new challenge when he meets 'El Gladiador' on martial arts' biggest global stage—and Brooks is determined to show the world that he's much more than just another grappler.

“I’m looking forward to showing everybody in the world that I can knock somebody out cold,” Brooks said in an interview with ONE.

With 20 wins on his resume, 'The Monkey God' has only finished two of his opponents via KO—both of them coming in 2016 on the regional scene. Still, we've seen time and time again that when Jarred Brooks sets his mind to something, he's capable of accomplishing anything, whether it be in a ring or a cage.

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Gustavo Balart plans to make the most of his title opportunity against Jarred Brooks

Earning a finish against Gustavo Balart will be no easy task. 'El Gladiador' has only been stopped twice in his career, the last time being nearly five years ago.

In the time since, the streaking fan favorite has earned four straight wins in ONE Championship, besting Ryuto Sawada, Yosuke Saruta, Alex Silva, and fourth-ranked strawweight contender Hiroba Minowa. Those victories have landed Balart his first opportunity at ONE gold and he plans to make the most of it.

"This is a big dream of mine that I have been working for many years," Balart said during an appearance on SerEbro EnlosDeportes. "It’s a dream, but I’ve had to build this career to be able to achieve it."

Who leaves the Mecca of Muay Thai with interim gold and a date with undisputed champion Joshua Pacio?

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.