“I really wanted to fight as soon as possible” - Joshua Pacio motivated in recovery to make epic comeback and unify belts with Jarred Brooks

Reigning ONE strawweight MMA world champion 'The Passion' Joshua Pacio of the Philippines may be recovering from a harrowing ACL tear that has kept him on the mend for the past few months, but the 28-year-old Baguio City native says he can't wait to get back into the Circle.

In fact, the Lions Nation MMA representative says a looming world title unification bout with newly crowned interim strawweight MMA king 'The Monkey God' Jarred Brooks is always on the back of his mind.

Speaking to Tiebreaker Times in a recent interview, Pacio says he will be raring to go as soon as his body will allow it.

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'The Passion' said:

"Honestly, after my last fight, I really wanted to fight as soon as possible. But someone told me that, ‘Sure, with that injury you can compete, but you have to think about the longevity of your career. Those were my choices. It’s either I compete immediately, or I focus on my longevity. As much as I’m fired up to get back to the ring, I have to focus on my recovery."

In his absence, Brooks scooped up the interim strawweight MMA belt with a first-round submission over Cuba's Gustavo Balart at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video.

Now Pacio and Brooks are on a collision course yet again, with their all-important trilogy showdown likely next for both men.

Joshua Pacio wants to remind fans that he's the best strawweight in the world: "I have already proven my track record"

Filipino superstar 'The Passion' Joshua Pacio cannot wait to get back in the Circle and prove that he truly reigns supreme in ONE Championship's strawweight division.

Despite 'The Monkey God' Jarred Brooks claiming a portion of the strawweight throne, Pacio was unbothered by it. And he is looking forward to squaring off with the American.

'The Passion' said:

"I don’t mind if they put in an interim champion. I have already proven my track record as a champion. I cannot wait to prove it again once I get cleared to make my return."