“I’m Not Really Worried Defensively” – Jarred Brooks Confident in His Grappling Ahead of Clash With Mikey Musumeci at ONE Fight Night 13

Jarred Brooks is venturing into new territory in his upcoming fight, but ONE Championship’s strawweight mixed martial arts king is confident that his skills will stand up against one of the best grapplers in the world.

“The Monkey God” is set to challenge Mikey Musumeci for his ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Championship at ONE Fight Night 13: Allazov vs Grigorian this Friday, August 4, inside the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, and he’s ready to put his ground game to the ultimate test.

Throughout his run in the strawweight ranks, Brooks has showcased his grappling proficiency to dominate opponents on the canvas. The former Indiana State Wrestling Champion has taken rivals to the ground at will and asserted his devastating top game whenever he’s had the chance.Heading into his submission grappling debut, the 30-year-old is aiming to utilize these strengths, and he isn’t concerned that he won’t be able to rely on some of his MMA weapons.

Jarred Brooks is confident about his defense

“I’m not really worried defensively,” Brooks told ONE Championship. “I’m defensively sound in an ankle lock, as far as jiu-jitsu goes. So, actually, what can Mikey do against somebody of my prowess? “I think that I will be most successful on the feet. We’re starting on the feet, and it’s not like he can butt-scoot towards me. And I’m just going to be as athletic as possible.” Taking on Musumeci on the ground is about as big a challenge as a competitor can face, and he becomes even more dangerous if he’s allowed to operate on an opponent’s legs.

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The grappling prodigy is so proficient in this area that he has even developed his own submission – the “Mikey Lock” – an innovative leg lock technique best described as a heel hook/knee bar hybrid. Its deadly effects were on full display during his first World Title defense at ONE Fight Night 6 earlier this year. “Darth Rigatoni” grabbed hold of challenger Gantumur Bayanduuren’s leg and proceeded to twist it in ways no one should experience. While the Mongolian star valiantly held on to the final bell, enduring the full force of the “Mikey Lock” has caused him to be sidelined for at least a year, as it tore multiple ligaments in his leg.

Brooks is confident in his offense too

Brooks being confident in his ankle lock defense is a good start in terms of strategy, as it means he will look to avoid getting into such a predicament, but defense isn’t the only thing he’ll be relying on in Friday’s battle.

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“The dude doesn’t get really submitted. So the only way I see myself submitting him is getting something quick. My speed, my agility, and my athleticism are going to play a big factor in this,” Brooks said.

ONE Fight Night 13 will be broadcast live and free on Prime Video for fans across North America with an Amazon subscription.