‘The Person I Looked Up To’ – Jarred Brooks Eager To Fight His Idol Demetrious Johnson
Reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks wants to continue building his legacy by taking out the sport’s GOAT – ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson.
Brooks has defeated most of the top names in his own division – including the three top-ranked contenders – and he’s eager for the chance to go after gold in the weight class above.
It’s nothing personal for “The Monkey God,” who is a huge fan of his legendary American compatriot. At the same time, he considers Johnson the biggest target in his crosshairs – and he has been making that known.
The 30-year-old spoke to onefc.com about his desire to face – and defeat – “Mighty Mouse”:
“DJ is the main fight, period. I have nothing but respect for him. The way that I have been calling out, it can seem like it is disrespectful, but you’ve got to sell fights too.
“I have nothing but love for DJ, but as far as us fighting, man, I’m here to kill you, bro. You’re literally the person I looked up to, and if I’ve gotta put the sword in you, I’ll be that person.”
Johnson built his iconic MMA resume as a cerebral technician who has managed to outsmart most of his rivals en route to victory – including a pair of World Title wins over former flyweight king Adriano Moraes.
However, Brooks thinks he’s the man to flip that script. Oozing with confidence, he doesn’t see many ways the 37-year-old can defeat him at this point in their respective careers.
He explained:
“I have plans for all of [the opponents I might face] and ways to beat them. I mean, it’s either you’re going to catch me with something that is out of the blue, like a one-in-ten chance, or you’re gonna get beat by me.
“You’re going to have to knock me out in the first round or something. So if it’s in the second round or third round, I don’t care if it is Demetrious Johnson. I believe in myself that much. And the people that don’t believe me, you just gotta wait and see.”
Jarred Brooks Would Also Welcome Matchups With Superlek, Rodtang
While Demetrious Johnson is the man he’s aiming for, Jarred Brooks is willing to entertain anybody who wants to square off.
He most recently challenged BJJ superstar Mikey Musumeci for the ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Title, and after stepping outside of his comfort zone, he’d welcome another ONE star doing the same.
There has been talk of ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 potentially trying his hand at MMA, and Brooks would happily welcome the striking legend to a new sport – although he doesn’t think Superlek would stand a chance:
“I see Superlek has cauliflower ears, stuff like that. I’m very observant. I already know he’s done some rolling. He’s probably thinking about mixed martial arts.
“I’m a huge fan of Superlek, too. It would be an honor to go against him. He has crazy kicks, but if he tries to kick me, I promise you I’m gonna take him down and I’m gonna smash his face in.”
Conversely, if Brooks goes the opposite direction and delves into another sport again, he would be interested in testing himself against ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
“The Monkey God” is not so arrogant to think he could blitz through the dominant Thai superstar, but he believes his physical attributes would at least give him a chance.
Rodtang is renowned for his granite chin – and goading his rivals with it. With that in mind, Brooks thinks he could take advantage of an opening.
He added:
“The only reason why I say that I would like to go against Rodtang is the dude leaves his hands down, and I actually have pretty good power. I have more power than [former Rodtang opponent] Danial Williams. I have more power than a lot of those guys.
“If I was to go against Rodtang right now, I would just do a lot of movement so there’s no leg kicks, he can’t come in with straight elbows, come in with all those knees. He would have to come and get close to me, right? So if he has to walk me down and he keeps his hands down, that’s what I’d be looking for.”
