ONE Championship 156: Jarred Brooks tells Joshua Pacio ‘be ready’ after choking Bokang Masunyane in strawweight title eliminator
- ‘The Monkey God’ makes light work of Masunyane and tells strawweight champ Pacio ‘I’m taking that belt back to the United States’
- Strawweight contenders Danial Williams and Gustavo Balart also win in Singapore, defeating Namiki Kawahara and Yosuke Saruta by decision
Jarred Brooks can officially call himself ONE Championship’s top strawweight contender.
The American earned his place atop the division’s rankings in a fight with South Africa’s Bokang Masunyane on the main card of the ONE 156 event on Friday in Singapore.
He made it look easy.
Early in the first round, Brooks leapt onto Masunyane’s back and began threatening with repeated rear-naked choke attempts. Masunyane stayed on his feet, attempting to jostle the American off his back against the cage, but was ultimately pulled down to the canvas and choked unconscious.
“It’s so great to fight in ONE Championship,” the 28-year-old told commentator Mitch Chilson after his submission victory over the South African. “It’s just world class over here. You ain’t getting anything but the best out here.”
With the win, Brooks (19-2) has earned a crack at long-reigning strawweight champion Joshua Pacio (20-3) – and he made sure to remind the Filipino striker of that fact post-fight.
“I got a bone to pick,” he said, targeting the champ. “I got to go against Joshua Pacio now. Please be ready, Joshua. I’m coming for you.