Joshua “The Passion” Pacio believes that ONE Strawweight World Champion Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks has defeated everyone he needs to beat in the division, and he has an idea on how to solve the strawweight logjam.
While he wants a rematch with the American wrestling machine, he’s willing to throw his name in a Strawweight World Grand Prix just to prove that he deserves another shot at the American.
“I think Jarred Brooks already faced all the top contenders in the strawweight division. He is at the top of the division right now, and it’s really hard to see who should be next in line,” he said.
“I am open to join if [ONE Championship] decides to make a Strawweight World Grand Prix tournament. Even before I became champion, I’ve always thought about this. They did it in kickboxing and other MMA divisions, so why not at strawweight?
“Brooks and I have pretty much fought everybody, so a Strawweight World Grand Prix would be a fantastic idea.”
But a fight with second-ranked contender Bokang “Little Giant” Masunyane is something that he’s also willing to entertain, especially if that gives him a clear path to a rematch with Brooks.
“I’m ready all the time, but I think ONE is offering me a different fight. For me, if they give me the second-ranked fighter [Bokang Masunyane], I’ll accept. If they give me the champion, I’ll accept as the no.1 contender,” he said.
Whoever he faces next, he knows that the chapter between him and Brooks is far from over.
“I’m sure as a champion he’s thinking about [me] since I’m still the number-one contender in the division. He’s thinking about either Bokang or myself. He even told me after our match that we still have unfinished business to settle,” he said.
“If not Jarred Brooks, give me Bokang.”