KEY POINTS

  • Jarred Brooks proved that his striking power is not to laugh at after dominating Hiroba Minowa
  • Zhang Lipeng could face a ranked fighter very soon with his victory over Ruslan Emilbek Uulu
  • Chingiz Allazov's crisp striking will have him face Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong in the Grand Prix finals

Combat sports fans were treated to an action-filled night of fights following ONE: Only The Brave last Friday, January 28.

Here are some of the most eye-opening revelations from the event.

Jarred Brooks stays true to his word

In the opening fight of the event, No. 3-ranked strawweight Jarred Brooks walked the talk against Hiroba Minowa, dominating him for the better part of three rounds.

Brooks made his name in the mixed martial arts circuit as a wrestler, but he proved in the Minowa fight that he does possess a full striking arsenal that he has been keeping secret for so long.

The former UFC standout bloodied Minowa early into their fight with an elbow from top position and was poised to finish it in one round after catching the 22-year-old Japanese with a knee right into his face, but the Japanese was able to shrug it off and survive.

Despite his best efforts to keep in step with the 28-year-old, Minowa simply had no answer for Brooks’ unique blend of wrestling and striking.

After the match, Brooks went into promoter mode and took aim again at ONE strawweight king Joshua Pacio.

“I think Joshua [Pacio] is deep down inside [expletive] himself. I don’t think he wants to fight me any time really soon. I think he probably wants to fight me in like July or something like that. But he can take as much time as he wants to prepare,” Brooks told color commentator Mitch Chilson after the fight.

Jarred Brooks
Jarred Brooks lands a massive right hand on Hiroba Minowa during their fight at ONE: Only The Brave on January 28, 2022. ONE Championship

Zhang Lipeng’s power is unreal

Another UFC veteran staked his claim to greatness in the Singapore-based promotion in the form of Zhang Lipeng as he made quick work of Ruslan Emilbek Uulu ahead of the event headliners.

Zhang only needed 32 seconds to catch Emilbek Uulu slacking in the striking department as the latter threw a haphazard right straight, which allowed the 31-year-old Chinese knockout artist to counter with a two-punch combination that put Emilbek Uulu to sleep.

ONE Championship recognized Zhang’s striking power after the event and awarded him plus two other fighters a $50,000 performance bonus.

Now riding a two-fight win streak, it remains to be seen whether Zhang’s next fight will have him matched up a ranked opponent as he has proven that he can feasibly contend for a spot on the rankings soon.

Zhang Lipeng
Zhang Lipeng knocked out Ruslan Emilbek Uulu in 32 seconds at ONE: Only The Brave on January 28, 2022. ONE Championship

Allazov might be the favorite to win Featherweight Kickboxing Grand Prix

In the co-main event, Chingiz Allazov put everything he had on the line against Jo Nattawut and came out with the victory when it was all said and done.

Allazov’s underrated ability to switch stances kept Nattawut guessing throughout the fight, and it allowed the Belarusian to floor Nattawut for the first time with a well-timed uppercut-knee combo.

Seemingly surprised by the development, Nattawut opted to milk the count and fought harder against Allazov.

As Nattawut wildly swung his right hand, it allowed Allazov to counter with a left hand that ended the fight.

The knockout victory puts Allazov on a collision course with Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong in the finals of the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix at ONE X on March 26.

Chingiz Allazov
Chingiz Allazov books his spot in the finals of the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing Grand Prix after knocking out Jo Nattawut in the first round at ONE: Only the Brave on January 28, 2022. ONE Championship