“I’m a warrior” - Joshua Pacio willing to face Jarred Brooks, any opponent to protect his belt
ONE strawweight MMA world champion Joshua Pacio is still recovering from a knee injury but reiterated that he is willing to defend his strap against any and all contenders once he is back and healthy. 'The Passion' spoke to Sportskeeda MMA in an interview and said that he has no intention to sit on the world title.
His priority at the moment, however, is his health. Joshua Pacio said:
"I'm not making any predictions, but whoever comes out on top [between contenders Bokang Masunyane and Mansur Malachiev at ONE Fight Night 25 in October], I'm ready. I'm a warrior, and I'll face either of them. Ideally, I want Jarred Brooks next once I get the green light to return, but whether it's Brooks or the winner of this fight, I'll be prepared."
Joshua Pacio regained the ONE strawweight world title after Jarred Brooks was disqualified for executing an illegal slam in the opening round that saw the Filipino fighter hit the canvas head first.
Apart from suffering from a cervicomuscular strain in his neck from the slam, it was also revealed that the Lions Nation MMA standout also tore his ACL during training for the Brooks rematch. He eventually had surgey on his knee and is out until at least the first half of next year.
With Pacio out indefinitely, ONE Championship held a championship match for the interim belt last month, which Brooks won against Gustavo Balart. Meanwhile, the Masunyane-Malachiev clash is part of ONE Fight Night 25 on Oct. 4.
Joshua Pacio still keen on trilogy title fight with Jarred Brooks
With the way things ended between him and Jarred Brooks in their title rematch back in March, Joshua Pacio said he is keen on having a trilogy fight with the American fighter to complete what he considers unfinished business.
The reigning ONE strawweight MMA world champion shared this in an interview with Spin.ph, conveying that a third fight with 'The Monkey God' is a priority for him once he fully heals from his knee injury,
Pacio said:
"I can see where this is heading, so I'll be straightforward. I have unfinished business with Jarred Brooks, and I intend to settle it in the future."
Pacio and Brooks first met in December 2022 in Manila, with the latter seizing the strawweight gold by unanimous decision. They had a title rematch back in March in Qatar where Brooks was disqualified and forced to give the title back to the Filipino fighter for executing an illegal slam in the opening round.