"Prove I'm the best to myself" - Jarred Brooks shares his motivation heading to interim title war with Gustavo Balart

For as long as Jarred Brooks has been in ONE Championship, he's had one clear goal in mind - proving himself to be the best strawweight in the world by taking on any and all challengers that stand in front of him.

This path has now led him to ONE Fight Night 24 where he will challenge for interim gold against Gustavo Balart.

Brooks was stripped of his title in his last fight after being disqualified in his rematch with Joshua Pacio at ONE 166.

With the champion unable to compete in a rematch due to an injury, an interim MMA title was put up for grabs in the main event on August 2.

Despite already achieving his goal of becoming the world champion, he's just as motivated as ever to reclaim the top spot.

This desire to leave no doubts about who the best is has fuelled Brooks, as he prepares to face Balart for the first time.

In a recent interview with Sherdog, the former champion gave fans an insight into his mentality:

"I want to go against everybody in the room until I can prove I'm the best to myself."

Jarred Brooks isn't taking this fight for granted

It would be easy for Jarred Brooks, considering his achievements and track record, to take this fight for granted.

He's already reached the mountaintop unlike his next opponent and the trilogy fight with Joshua Pacio seems inevitable at one point or another.

Brooks, however, knows better than to underestimate a hungry and dangerous opponent like Gustavo Balart who knows that a win in this fight could catapult him to the top of the sport.

'The Monkey God' isn't looking past his opponent and he's totally focused on the task at hand, which has never changed even when he lost the belt.

He believes he's the best and any chance to prove that is all the motivation he needs.

ONE Fight Night 24 will air live at U.S. primetime, free of charge for Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.