"Slick with his strength" - Jarred Brooks on what makes ONE world champion Reug Reug 'a great heavyweight'

Jarred Brooks believes that there is much more depth lying underneath the surface of one of the biggest success stories of the year.

In recent years, ONE Championship fans have watched the interim ONE strawweight world champion announce himself as an elite competitor.

The same can be said for heavyweight powerhouse Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane who first debuted in the promotion back in 2021.

Kane has had his setbacks and doubters over the past three years but at ONE 169, he achieved something truly special.

In the main event at Lumpinee Stadium, the former Senegalese wrestler shocked the world by dethroning heavyweight champion Anatoly Malykhin and becoming the first man to beat the Russian.

From an initial impression, it's clear that the new heavyweight king is a force of nature with incredible strength and power.

However, during ONE Fight Night 26 fight week, Brooks spoke in an interview with the Bangkok Post about how there is much more than meets the eye:

"I understood when I grappled Reug Reug just a tiny bit - like 30 seconds - that he isn't just strong. I go against big guys like him all the time in the gym because that's what I love to do. But Reug Reug is slick with his strength so that's what makes him a great heavyweight and a great fighter at the end of the day."

Watch the full interview below:

Jarred Brooks will look to end his 2024 campaign with a big win also

Following the incredible action from ONE 169 last month, ONE Fight Night 24 goes down on December 6 where Jarred Brooks will be back in action for the final time in 2024.

His year started off with some serious adversity after he lost the strawweight gold via disqualification at ONE 166.

Since then, he has been able to claim the interim title by submitting Gustavo Balart in August and he's now looking to make a dent on the division above.

On his return to Lumpinee Stadium, he faces Reece McLaren in a pivotal flyweight contest.