‘I Must Fight The Way I Really Fight’ – Joshua Pacio Vows To Impose His Game On Jarred Brooks In World Title Rematch

Joshua “The Passion” Pacio is determined to make amends in his massive rematch with Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks at ONE 166: Qatar. 

When the pair meet again at Lusail Sports Arena on Friday, March 1, the Filipino fan favorite will try to regain the ONE Strawweight MMA World Title that he lost to Brooks in December 2022.

The regret Pacio felt after that loss has motivated him to become better, and he doesn’t plan to make the same mistakes against the American star this time around.

Pacio spoke to onefc.com ahead of his return in Qatar:

“I lost in a fight where I didn’t showcase my absolute best. That disappointment lingered within me for a long time.

“Now, I’m turning that disappointment into my fuel for this fight. I know the lapses I committed in the first fight, and in the rematch, I will aim to rectify them.” 

While Pacio wanted to retain his belt against Brooks, it wasn’t just the defeat that hurt. Above all, it was losing without competing at his very best.

“The Passion” was so wary of his rival’s offense that he didn’t get to unleash the skills that took him to the top. This time, however, he promises to go out on his shield. 

With that in mind, the Lions Nations MMA representative is focused on implementing his own game plan rather than obsessing about Brooks’ renowned grappling ability.  

Pacio explained:

“This is mixed martial arts. It’s either you will get hit or you will get taken down. This camp has taught me to have the proper mindset. If I am one of the best in the world, I should fight like it. 

“That’s the goal of this training camp – to fight with no hesitation. In this rematch, I must fight the way I really fight. 

“I see two [possible outcomes]: It’s either I win by knockout or I win by decision. Jarred Brooks is no pushover. He can strike and he can wrestle. But I’m prepared wherever the fight goes.” 

Joshua Pacio Working Harder Than Ever To Prepare For ONE 166

A lot has happened in Joshua Pacio’s martial arts career since he lost his ONE Strawweight MMA World Title to Jarred Brooks in December 2022. 

In early 2023, “The Passion” followed former Team Lakay seniors such as Eduard Folayang and Kevin Belingon to the new Lions Nation MMA gym. He then returned to his winning ways against #5-ranked contender Mansur Malachiev in October.  

With the new dynamic and a confidence-boosting win over another wrestler, Pacio believes he’s in the perfect place to level the score with Brooks at ONE 166:

“When you’re preparing for a bout with this kind of magnitude, you must be 100 percent ready physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.   

“First of all, as an athlete, you have to feel at home. When you’re confident and happy in your environment, it will bring out the best in an athlete. And I can honestly say that’s what I’m feeling right now. All of that can be attributed to the support I’m getting here at Lions Nation MMA.” 

The new team has invested heavily in the all-around development of their MMA athletes, and ahead of the toughest battle of his career, Pacio is seeing the benefits.  

From his technical skills to his conditioning and diet, everything is where “The Passion” wants it to be as he attempts to bring the gold back home to the Philippines.  

Pacio opened up about his coaches and training partners at Lions Nation MMA:

“I’m blessed because I’m having the proper preparation, from the fight itself to strength and conditioning, and even the nutrition. 

“For this training camp, we’ve got all the help I need to monitor my progress. We have a legitimate strength and conditioning coach, Kuya Vince [Loman], who has really focused on enhancing my explosiveness and speed. 

“In the grappling aspect, of course, Professor Gibran Langbayan is here to help. Plus, he brought his younger brother, Godwin, with him. Godwin is one of the best jiu-jitsu practitioners in the Philippines and is part of the national sambo team.  

“In terms of the fight itself, we’ve done a lot of simulations to have a real feel of all the possibilities that could happen in the fight.”