Reece McLaren warns Jarred Brooks to “stay at strawweight” 

Flyweight MMA standout Reece McLaren has a point to prove when he returns to action at ONE Fight Night 26: Lee vs. Rasulov.  

The #4-ranked contender welcomes ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Champion Jarred Brooks to the flyweight division on Friday, December 6, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium, where he hopes to secure a shot at the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Title. 

Much like McLaren’s World Title dreams, Brooks shares similar hopes. But the Australian believes Brooks’ move to flyweight will not have the outcome he desires. And McLaren looks to drive that point home and give “The Monkey God” a rude awakening next month.  

“Every time [Brooks] talked about coming up to fight DJ, he kept talking about coming up to flyweight,” he said.  

“I would constantly be telling him he’s too small, too short. I’m standing by that. You should stay at strawweight, bro.” 

Reece McLaren looks to enter ONE Flyweight MMA World Title picture at ONE Fight Night 26

Reece McLaren is one of the longest-serving flyweights to grace ONE Championship. After 16 fights, the Aussie is as close to a World Title opportunity. And he believes ONE Fight Night 26 will provide the perfect time to secure his chance. 

His opponent, Jarred Brooks, is coveted as a former lineal ONE strawweight MMA king and reigning interim titleholder. In fact, the target on the American’s back is as large as ever. 

McLaren knows that Brooks’ name is in the conversation for a ONE Flyweight MMA World Title opportunity. But if he can thwart the American, then “Lightning” is confident there’ll be no denying his own shot at the vacant belt.  

“I feel like I should be fighting for a World Title,” he said. 

“If that’s not the case, then this stamps my name on that top-tier list for the next title contender by taking out a current World Champion.”