Reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks has seen some major life changes since winning the World Title.

Now just a few months into his journey as a new father, the American superstar is set to defend his gold against former titleholder Joshua “The Passion” Pacio on March 1 at ONE 166: Qatar.

Jarred Brooks explains his mindset coming into the fight as a father

That much-anticipated clash will go down at the Lusail Sports Arena and is a rematch of the pair’s unforgettable December 2022 battle in which Brooks emerged victorious to claim the strawweight MMA crown.

Since then, the outspoken Michigan native has kept himself busy, challenging Mikey “Darth Rigatoni” Musumeci for the ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Title. But late last year, Brooks experienced the most significant change of his life with the birth of his daughter, Naomi Mae.

Still gushing with the euphoria of a new parent, he spoke about what it means to be a father, he said, “I’ve always wanted a child, and to have the cutest little button in the world, it’s huge, man. I would give the world for her. It is very challenging, but at the same time, it is the biggest and best experience that God has given me. We’re blessed. We’re shining.”

As a global superstar and titleholder in the world’s largest martial arts organization, Brooks is accustomed to living his life at a breakneck pace. But with fatherhood comes slower, gentler times, and he’s been forced to learn the one lesson any seasoned parent has come to know well: patience is key.

What’s more, he has worked hard to find time for both his daughter and preparing for his rematch with Pacio on March 1. That often means bringing his daughter into the gym while he trains.

Also Read: Joshua Pacio Is “100 Percent Ready” With Lions Nation MMA Ahead of His Rematch With Jarred Brooks

“The Monkey God” talks about his joy in taking his daughter to the GYM

Given all the time she’s spending in the gym, “The Monkey God” expects his daughter to follow in her father’s footsteps as an athlete.

“I would say patience is the biggest lesson I’ve learned. And finding time for everything, making sure that priorities are first – that’s family and then fighting. I’m always going to provide,” said Brooks.

“Every day, I take her to the gym. She loves it. She’s gonna be walking really, really fast. She got those athletic traits from her dad and mom. And I’m gonna put her in gymnastics right away. Get her into some wrestling and see how she feels after that.”

Will Jarred Brooks be successful in defending his ONE strawweight title at ONE 166, against Joshua Pacio? Or will the event in Qatar crown a new strawweight champion for the division? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Also Read: “My Opponents Need to Watch Out”- Jarred Brooks Claims to Be More Dangerous Now After Birth of His Daughter