Jarred Brooks has always been creative in finding ways to get into the heads of his opponents, and his relationship with legendary Filipino coach Mark Sangiao could be instrumental in his next ONE Championship battle.

This past weekend at ONE Fight Night 24, “The Monkey God” claimed the ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Championship by submitting #3-ranked contender Gustavo “El Gladiador” Balart in the first round of their main event pairing inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Jarred Brooks’ relationship with Team Lakay

With the win, Brooks booked his ticket to a World Title unification bout with divisional king Joshua “The Passion” Pacio whenever he returns from injury. He was showered with praise and congratulatory messages following ONE Fight Night 24, but one notable message came from Pacio’s former longtime gym, Team Lakay.

In the post-fight interviews, Brooks was asked about his relationship with the renowned Filipino stable, and it seems the mind games for his future trilogy battle with Pacio may have already started.

“Yeah, I got to talk to Mark Sangiao [from Team Lakay], and I think that me and his relationship kind of kindled a little bit more to where, in that last fight with Joshua Pacio, I said that I was going to represent Team Lakay, and he was just like, ‘hey, anytime you do want to come down to Baguio City and train, you’re more than welcome,’” he said.

Pacio was a key figure in Team Lakay, being one of four fighters who held ONE World Titles at the team’s peak in the promotion. But he recently parted ways with the gym to create Lions Nation MMA with some of his former teammates.

Brooks embraces Filipino fans amidst rivalry

The drama was clearly not lost on Brooks, hence his willingness to represent Team Lakay when he next comes up against “The Passion.”. Beyond his loyalty to Team Lakay, the new interim strawweight MMA titleholder sent a message to fans from Pacio’s homeland, saying he is looking forward to competing in front of them again someday.

“The Filipino fans, thank you so much. You guys are my ‘kuyas (brothers)’ to the end, bro, and even though I’m going against one of your fellow kuyas, maybe we can keep that at 50-50, where you guys love me just as much as you love him because I love Manila,” Brooks said.

He further added “I love the Philippines. Every one of those guys over there treated me with nothing but dignity and respect, and even though they booed me, I know that they love me deep down inside.”