Lito Adiwang of the Philippines was taken by surprise when Jarred Brooks, the former ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion, announced that he would be moving up to the flyweight division. Known as “Thunder Kid,” Adiwang recently shared his thoughts on the development, acknowledging Brooks’ dominance in the strawweight division but questioning the timing of the move.
Adiwang’s Thoughts on Brooks’ Move
While Adiwang understands why Brooks is moving up to flyweight—having captured the interim strawweight title—he is surprised that Brooks didn’t wait to unify the belt with Joshua Pacio first, saying:
“I think as an athlete, that’s the natural next move once you got the belt in your division. So I think I was just really taken by surprise by the timing of it all. He didn’t wait to unify the belt with Joshua first before he moved up.”
Despite this, Adiwang also expressed respect for Brooks’ decision, adding:
“Yes, I think it’s a good move for him.”
Jarred Brooks’ Journey
Jarred Brooks made his ONE Championship debut in November 2021, where he defeated Lito Adiwang by second-round submission. Since then, Brooks has been a dominant force in the strawweight division, defeating several top contenders with his relentless pace and grappling skills, establishing himself as one of the promotion’s best.
Now, with his sights set on a new challenge, Brooks is preparing to make his flyweight debut against Reece McLaren, the No. 4-ranked flyweight contender.
Upcoming Bout: Brooks vs. McLaren
- Event: ONE Fight Night 26: Lee vs. Rasulov
- Date: Friday, December 6, 2024
- Venue: Lumpinee Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
- Fight: Jarred Brooks vs. Reece McLaren (Flyweight MMA bout)
- Broadcast: Live on Amazon Prime Video in U.S. primetime
What’s at Stake for Brooks?
Brooks is stepping into the flyweight division to face the challenges of bigger opposition, and his performance in this debut could determine his future in the weight class. Fans can expect a tough and exciting contest as he looks to continue his dominant streak, this time against top-tier flyweight talent.
For those following the action, Amazon Prime Video will provide exclusive access to the event, free for subscribers in the U.S. and Canada.
