After becoming the ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Champion last week, Jarred Brooks is not only focused on unifying the title with current champion Joshua Pacio, but he is also eyeing a potential showdown with current ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Demetrious Johnson.

Jarred Brooks himself is a huge fan of Johnson. He’s openly expressed his desire to share the stage with “Mighty Mouse” before the legend retires. In a recent ONE Championship interview, the 31-year-old Brooks revealed his fandom, tracking it back to his teenage years when he first witnessed Johnson’s greatness as the winner of Buffalo Wild Wings on TV in 2012. Thinking back, Brooks admitted to dreaming that he could one day be like him.

‘The Monkey God” sees his entrance into the ONE Championship as a divine sign, as he’s now on the same stage where Demetrious Johnson thrives. Jarred Brooks further added, “I think it would be a great matchup between me and him.  I’m somebody who tries to go up and beat the competition. I climb the mountains, and I’m not worried. I know that GOATS are really good at climbing mountains too, but I’m not afraid to try to chase a GOAT.”

Demetrious Johnson has not competed in MMA since headlining the ONE Championship’s first-ever US event, ONE Fight Night 10, in 2023. In a thrilling ending to their trilogy, “Mighty Mouse” successfully defended the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title against the former longtime king, Adriano Moraes. With the possibility of retirement looming throughout the build-up to the event, Johnson addressed speculations after his win by saying he’s not yet closing the book on his MMA career just yet. 

Since stepping away from the world of MMA, Johnson has been active in pursuing his other passions, including podcasting and gaming. Recently, he even tested his skills on the mats by competing in prestigious IBJJF tournaments.

Jarred Brooks credits the team with the victory over Gustavo Balart

No athlete can achieve success in any sport without a dedicated team supporting them through rigorous training, diet management, weight control, physical therapy, and sparring sessions. Our newly crowned interim champ, Jarred Brooks, recognizes the crucial role of his elite BJJ and MMA coaching staff in his recent evolution.

In an interview with the South China Morning Post following his latest win, he emphasized their significant contributions to his success. “I keep a very small group,” he said. “And Alex Hodi, he’s one of the best jiu-jitsu practitioners in the world and one of the best coaches too. He understands the mixed martial arts aspect of American jiu-jitsu and how it goes into martial arts, period. So he’s a great coach.”

With so much positivity surrounding Jarred Brooks, it’s evident that his strong team is contributing significantly to his success. Now, we eagerly await the day when this formidable team helps him reclaim the ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Title from Joshua Pacio, who is currently recovering from an ACL injury. Stay tuned for further updates on this exciting rivalry.