Reece ‘Lightning’ McLaren will stake his claim for a shot at the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship as he gears up for a ”violent” clash with Jarred ‘Monkey God’ Brooks at ONE Fight Night 26.
McLaren’s final, and arguably, most challenging obstacle stands between him and his long-awaited world title aspirations; the reigning ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Champion Jarred Brooks, who is attempting to move up a weight class in hopes of achieving double-champ glory.
The number four-ranked flyweight spoke exclusively to Fight News Australia, revealing his true, brutal intentions for the fight as he seeks to finally seize the throne of the stacked ONE Championship flyweight division.
The Australian star had high praise for his opponent’s skills and accolades but believes Brooks is simply “too short and too small” to compete against the division’s top contenders.
“He’s a world champion for a reason. I think he’s a phenomenal fighter,” McLaren said.
“His wrestling and his fitness are definitely what wins him fights, but it’s really what makes him kind of one-dimensional.”
Despite his respect for ‘Monkey God’, Reece claims the clash of styles bodes “terrible for Brooks” and is prepared to endure a devastating three-round war.
“Violence — that’s what’s coming in this fight.”
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This bout follows long-time flyweight king Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson’s decision to retire back in September 2024. Both McLaren and Brooks have previously called for an opportunity to take on Johnson, but with the king having called it a career, both men have their sights set on the crown.
‘Lightning’ is no stranger to adversity, having fought the biggest names in his division over the last ten years; now he has agreed to take on a highly dangerous opponent in a title eliminator fight— on short notice, no less.
“They shot through the availability about five weeks out from the fight,” McLaren told Fight News Australia
“It was a little bit of a tangle. I kind of queried for a catchweight just because of the short notice but that all cleared up.
“I went to work on Monday and was just like, I have to take this fight, I can’t say no, this is such a big opportunity.
“Once I had decided that afternoon, fight camp started.”
GOLD RUSH 👑 Interim strawweight MMA king Jarred Brooks begins his quest for double-champ status against fourth-ranked flyweight contender Reece McLaren on December 6 at ONE Fight Night 26 on @primevideo! Who makes their case to challenge for the vacant throne?#ONEFightNight26… pic.twitter.com/LZB1IMbf1x
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) November 14, 2024
Outside of these two contenders, one possible threat to the title picture could be former champion Adriano ‘Mikinho’ Moraes who submitted Danny Kingad in brutal fashion earlier this month. The only man to ever knock out ‘Mighty Mouse’ has a strong case to be thrust back into the spotlight, but he will most likely have to take on the winner of McLaren vs Brooks if he hopes to reclaim gold.
“Any fight which I’m in next has to be a title eliminator. Yuyu Wakamatsu’s fighting a newcomer – I’m fighting a world champion. I think the winner out of us two for sure has to be top of the line,” McLaren said.
When questioned about the risk of taking such a dangerous matchup on late notice, McLaren did not shy away, rather, he gave off an aura of unbridled confidence and remained steadfast in his decision to answer the call.
“With it being short notice, I’m going to have to move a bit of weight here and I am going to bounce back,” he said.
“If he had fought me on a full camp, he’d be getting a better, more fit Reece but instead he’s getting a big, violent Reece for this fight.”
Combat sports fans around the world will surely have their eyes fixed on Bangkok’s Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Thailand as the entire ONE Championship flyweight division, and the die-hard fans Down Under await to see who will emerge victorious.
Will ‘Lightning’ strike for Reece McLaren or will ‘Monkey God’ conquer another division? No matter who comes out on top, the Australian superstar knows what’s waiting for him once he enters the ring and has one word in mind for what the world can expect.
“Violence. Violence is coming. Batman might be vengeance but Reece is f***ing violent!”
Watch Reece ‘Lightning’ McLaren as he attempts to shock the world and blaze through Jarred ‘Monkey God’ Brooks at ONE Fight Night 26 on Saturday, December 7 (AEDT) live through 7 Sport or the 7+ app.
