Former ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Jarred Brooks will face second-ranked contender Mansur Malachiev in a flyweight MMA bout at ONE Fight Night 36 on Friday, October 3, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Brooks (20-3) moves up to flyweight seeking a fresh start after losing his strawweight title to Joshua Pacio via TKO in the second round of their unification bout at ONE 171 in February.
The 31-year-old American had previously captured the interim strawweight title with a rear-naked choke victory over Gustavo Balart in August 2024, but the loss to Pacio derailed his championship comeback.
Brooks originally held the undisputed strawweight title after defeating Pacio in December 2022, but was disqualified for an illegal slam in their first rematch at ONE 166.
Malachiev (13-1) has established himself as a top contender since joining ONE Championship in June 2023. The Dagestani fighter submitted Jeremy Miado in his promotional debut and has since defeated Yosuke Saruta and Bokang Masunyane.
The 27-year-old Russian's only career loss came against Pacio at ONE Fight Night 15 in October 2023. Malachiev previously held titles in two divisions as Eagle FC Champion before joining ONE.
The matchup represents a grudge match between two accomplished wrestlers who have exchanged words on social media over the past few years.
Brooks dominated the strawweight division during his championship reign, showcasing his wrestling credentials and finishing ability. The Indiana native now seeks to rebuild his title contention at flyweight.
Malachiev brings momentum from his recent victories and represents a significant test for Brooks' return to form. The Moscow-based fighter has demonstrated well-rounded skills and composure against elite competition.
For Brooks, victory would provide the bounce-back performance needed to revitalize his championship aspirations in a new weight class.
Malachiev has the opportunity to continue his impressive ONE Championship run and establish himself as a force in the flyweight division.
