Jarred Brooks reveals he hired same-size training partner for Gustavo Balart showdown

American MMA fighter Jarred Brooks is facing an opponent in his upcoming fight who he does not go up against on a regular basis, which is why he made sure he did something extra to be better prepared.

The former ONE strawweight world champion will battle Cuban veteran Gustavo Balart for the division's interim world title at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video on Aug. 2 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Balart, who stands at 4-foot-11, will be the smallest opponent to date for Jarred Brooks in ONE Championship and he expects 'El Gladiador' presenting challenges of his own.

For his preparation against Balart, 'The Monkey God' found an unlikely training partner in his pet pitbull Louie. He said that as part of his training, he did grappling drills with his dog to somehow simulate the stocky frame that his upcoming opponent has.

He shared this in an interview with the FightWave YouTube Channel in line with his scheduled title clash at ONE Fight Night 24. Brooks was quick to say, however, that it was nowhere a diss on Balart.

The 31-year-old Indiana native said:

"Gustavo Balart, I'm not talking sh*t, but he's no too much bigger, man. So, yeah, Louie is a great training partner for me, especially for this fight."

At ONE Fight Night 24, Jarred Brooks is looking to bounce back after losing the strawweight championship belt to Filipino rival Joshua Pacio last March by disqualification for executing an illegal slam that had his opponent hitting the canvas head first.

ONE Championship is holding an interim strawweight championship fight because Pacio is out indefinitely for the ACL injury he sustained even before he took on Brooks.

ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart on Prime Video will take place at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok and will be available live and for free on U.S. primetime to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.

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Jarred Brooks vows to have a better mentality at ONE Fight Night 24

Jarred Brooks is of the opinion that he is his own worst enemy and if allows himself to be consumed by it, it does not bode well for him in his matches. Good thing for him, more often than not he has found ways to handle it better.

He shared this in an interview with ABS-CBN ahead of his scheduled return to action at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video on Aug. 2 in Thailand against Gustavo Balart for the interim strawweight world title.

Brooks said:

"My biggest opponent has always been me. I think that me, conquering myself as a man, and my ego and pride and all that stuff, it's gonna either bump me off or break me down. But I'm willing to put my nuts on the table and I always have."

The interim championship clash between Brooks and Balart is the headlining contest at ONE Fight Night 24.