“I Want to Be That Guy That Carries the Torch” – Jarred Brooks Pokes Demetrious Johnson Yet Again Intending to Get His Callout Accepted

ONE Strawweight World Champion Jarred Brooks is itching for his next fight inside the ONE Championship Circle, and he’s calling everyone out in his division–and beyond. The American star claimed the divisional crown in a hard-fought battle with long-time king Joshua Pacio at ONE 164 last December to close out his 2022 with a perfect 3-0 run. 

Since his debut a year earlier, “The Monkey God” has worked his way through each contender in the strawweight division, leaving the door wide open for his next challenge.

Jarred Brooks was also eyeing a bout against Demetrious Johnson

He was in attendance at Denver, Colorado’s 1stBank Center for ONE Fight Night 10 earlier this month to watch Demetrious Johnson close out his trilogy with Adriano Moraes and retain the ONE Flyweight World Title. 

Prior to ONE’s debut show on U.S. soil, “Mighty Mouse” had hinted that he was thinking of retirement, and that prompted Brooks to throw his name in the ring for a potential fight with the MMA legend before he hangs up his gloves. The Washington native didn’t close the book on his career following his latest win, however, sparking Brooks to double down on his callout. 

The mouthy World Champion was asked why he was so adamant about challenging Demetrious Johnson in a recent interview with Cageside Press, and he gave a straight answer.

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“He’s been the man forever. Why wouldn’t I [want to fight him]? He’s been that guy that’s been ‘unbeatable,’” Brooks said. “He got knocked out by Adriano Moraes. But, as you’ve seen, he came back and beat him twice. So that just stamps his legacy on that. He’s still that man. Even at 36 years old, he’s still that guy. I want people to notice me as that. I want to be that guy that carries the torch after Demetrious. And what better way than to beat the guy who has the torch?”

Jared Brooks also poked Demetrious Johnson slightly to get his callout accepted

“The Monkey God” believes a match between him and Johnson would produce fireworks, and he is eager to give fans an exciting show. He is also realistic, however, and knows that it is not up to him what the MMA icon decides about his career.

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Nonetheless, Brooks being Brooks, he couldn’t help but poke the bear slightly – in the hopes that Johnson might feel tempted to take him on. “If he wants to end it on a good note and not get beat by me, then that’s his stuff,” Brooks said. “I can beat people that beat him.”