In a riveting prelude to ONE 166, Jarred Brooks, a key player in the ONE Championship roster, shared his insights on the Anatoly Malykhin-Reinier de Ridder high-stakes rematch. Brooks, known for his bold predictions, anticipates a different spectacle but foresees a familiar outcome.
Brooks’ Bold Projections
Anatoly Malykhin, a dual titleholder in ONE’s light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, is set to challenge Reinier de Ridder for the coveted ONE middleweight title. This sequel, occurring at the Lusail Sports Arena in Qatar, marks Malykhin’s second attempt to seize a belt from de Ridder.
In an exclusive interview with ONE Championship, Brooks acknowledged the potential improvement in de Ridder’s performance, especially compared to their previous clash at ONE on Prime Video 5. Despite this, Brooks firmly believes the ultimate result will favor Malykhin.
Clash of Styles
Brooks dissected the fighters’ styles, highlighting de Ridder’s prowess as a submission grappler and Malykhin’s ‘Hulk smash’ approach. He predicts a distinct encounter, emphasizing Malykhin’s speed and formidable punching power against de Ridder’s versatile kicks and submission attempts.
The reigning ONE strawweight champion expressed his leaning towards Malykhin, citing the Russian’s speed and power. Nevertheless, Brooks holds a soft spot for de Ridder, expressing a desire to witness the former champion reclaim his glory.
A Recap of History
The backstory unfolds as Malykhin, then the ONE interim heavyweight champion, triumphed over de Ridder in their initial bout for the light heavyweight title in December 2022. Despite the weight class shift, Malykhin showcased his dominance, securing a first-round knockout and solidifying his status as a two-division world champion.
Brooks’ Villainous Stint
Amidst the anticipation for Malykhin vs. de Ridder, Brooks finds himself in the spotlight for a different reason. Preparing for his matchup against Joshua Pacio in the co-main event, Brooks embraces the role of the villain.
Dubbed ‘The Monkey God,’ Brooks entertained the crowd at the press conference with his provocative antics, including throwing bananas to the predominantly Filipino audience. Unfazed by the boos, Brooks revels in the love-hate dynamic, asserting his track record of accurate predictions.
ONE 166 Showdown
As the excitement builds, fans worldwide can catch all the action live and free on Prime Video, available to subscribers in the United States and Canada. With Malykhin vs. de Ridder and Brooks vs. Pacio headlining ONE 166, this event promises a night of high-stakes drama, unpredictable outcomes, and a touch of villainy.
In the midst of the fervor, Jarred Brooks stands at the epicenter, poised to make a statement both in and out of the cage. The ONE Championship universe awaits the unfolding saga, eager to witness the collision of skills and the emergence of new narratives in the relentless pursuit of championship glory.
You can also check out Thanh Le Targets Total Triumph in ONE 166 Face-Off Against Tang Kai.
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