Jarred Brooks says cross training is key to becoming an MMA world champion

First-ranked strawweight MMA contender and former divisional king 'The Monkey God' Jarred Brooks of the United States believes that the key to success in mixed martial arts is diversifying the skill set. To do that, fighters must have multiple avenues of training in their camp, honing skills in striking and grappling.

A decorated collegiate wrestler, Brooks is a master of his craft. But it was when he incorporated different styles of martial arts into his game that he became the ultimate martial artist.

Speaking to ONE Championship in a recent interview, Brooks revealed what he thinks is the secret to success in professional MMA competition.

'The Monkey God' said:

"The thing I love about mixed martial arts is that it's an individual sport. It is like wrestling. Wrestling is a very individual sport. Of course there’s a team aspect where it’s like, hey, this guy's got to win this match in order for us to win."

Brooks added:

"But individually, everybody is completely different. And I've been to a lot of gyms - jiu-jitsu gyms, wrestling gyms, boxing gyms, other mixed martial arts gyms that have a lot of the same type of training, right? To where they're showing the same thing, not letting people go cross train, not letting people go and do the things that they need to do to be a world champion."

Brooks is ready to showcase what a complete game looks like when he steps into the ring for his next fight.

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Jarred Brooks to square off with Gustavo Balart for ONE interim strawweight MMA belt at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video

Former strawweight MMA world titleholder 'The Monkey God' Jarred Brooks is set to go to war with no.3-ranked divisional contender 'El Gladiador' Gustavo Balart for the ONE interim strawweight MMA world title.

The two will lock horns in the main event of ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart on Prime Video, which will air live from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, August 2nd, in U.S. primetime.

Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and absolutely free with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription. Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding the event.

Update: Gustavo Balart missed weight, and only Jarred Brooks is eligible to win the belt.