Joshua Pacio issues statement after title win at ONE 166

03 March 2024

In a surprising turn of events at ONE 166: Qatar, Joshua "The Passion" Pacio managed to retain his ONE Strawweight MMA World Title following a highly anticipated rematch against Jarred "The Monkey God" Brooks. However, the victory came in an unexpected manner, prompting Pacio to express mixed emotions in his post-fight statement.

In his statement, Pacio attributed his success to his unwavering faith, expressing gratitude to his Savior, Jesus Christ, and his team at Lions Nation MMA. Despite the unconventional victory, Pacio extended respect to Brooks and his team, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of combat sports.

"I give all the Praises and Glory to my Savior Jesus Christ for He deserves it all," said Pacio. "We got Win in the way we didn’t wanted to, none of us wants that to happen. This is the best training camp I had so far in my entire career, I was sharp and ready go but I know God’s plan is better because His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. I just want to take this opportunity to thank my team Lions Nation MMA and to all the people who helped, supported and prayed for us before, during and after the training camp and this fight to all my sponsors im so grateful ."

The bout commenced with Brooks displaying his signature speed and agility, but Pacio quickly found his rhythm, landing significant strikes. However, the fight took a drastic turn when Brooks executed a slam on Pacio, violating the rules by striking his head and forcing the referee to disqualify him.

Under the Global Mixed Martial Arts Rule Set, such manoeuvres are strictly prohibited, leading to Pacio's controversial victory at the 56-second mark of the first round. Despite the unexpected conclusion, Pacio remained gracious in victory, acknowledging the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the bout.

ALSO READ | VIDEO: Jarred Brooks and Joshua Pacio meet after their fight at ONE 166

With the series between Pacio and Brooks now tied at 1-1, speculation looms over a potential trilogy fight in the future. While the ending may have left fans with mixed feelings, both fighters have showcased their resilience and determination, setting the stage for a compelling rematch down the line.