ON Thursday, February 20, the moment of truth arrives for Joshua Pacio. Under the blinding lights of the magnificent Lusail Sports Arena in Qatar, the most accomplished strawweight in ONE Championship history steps back into the Circle — not just to defend his throne, but to silence the whispers that question his reign.
For the third time, the Filipino superstar faces the man who has become his greatest adversary, Jarred Brooks, a relentless, no-nonsense, ground-mauling American mixed martial artist who boasts a record of 21-4 with 11 finishes, in the main event of ONE 171.
The man who calls himself “The Monkey God” has spent nearly a decade bouncing between promotions before finally cementing himself in the limelight. And now, at 31 years old, Brooks refuses to let go of what he believes is rightfully his.
The bad news? So far, the Warsaw, Indiana native has been right.
In their first encounter in December 2022, Brooks dethroned Pacio in a grueling five-round war — winning the striking exchanges, scoring a crucial takedown, and nearly forcing a submission before sealing a unanimous decision victory. Suddenly, the invincible Joshua Pacio seemed mortal. The naysayers proclaimed the end of an era.
Then came the rematch. And oh, what a disaster it was.
A year ago, in Qatar, Pacio walked away with the gold — but not in the manner he envisioned. A mere 56 seconds into the bout, Brooks executed an illegal slam, driving the Filipino headfirst into the canvas and rendering him unconscious.
Under ONE’s Global MMA Ruleset, targeting the head, neck, or spine with a slam is strictly prohibited. The result? Disqualification. The belt was handed back to Pacio, but the respect? That never came with it.
The narrative shifted. The questions loomed larger. If that same move had been executed under the Unified MMA Rules — a ruleset followed by most organizations— Brooks would have walked away with a knockout victory.
Now, despite being a three-time world champion, Pacio wears his crown with a shadow of doubt cast over his legacy. And that’s exactly what he’s fighting to erase.
This is no longer about just the title. This is about respect. This is about proving a point.
For nine years, Pacio has built his reputation in ONE. He has ruled the division with an iron grip, competing in nine world title fights and securing three successful defenses. He has conquered former champions and legitimate contenders, including Yoshitaka Naito, Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke, Yosuke Saruta, Rene Catalan, Alex Silva, and Mansur Malachiev.
But at ONE 171, Pacio isn’t fighting for history. He isn’t just fighting for gold. He’s fighting to remind the world exactly who the hell he is.
Jarred Brooks is no myth. He is no deity. He is not an untouchable force. He is a man — just like Joshua Pacio. And at ONE 171, “The Passion” will stop at nothing to remind “The Monkey God” of that fact.
The odds? They say Pacio is facing an uphill battle. But if there’s one thing the world has learned about the dynamo from Baguio City, it’s this: The more he understands his opponent, the more dangerous he becomes.
He’s been here before. Counted out. Doubted. Overlooked. And every single time, he has risen to the occasion.
Will history repeat itself in Qatar? It’s up to him to do it one more time.
For comments or questions, reach the author at nissi.icasiano@gmail.com or visit his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nissi.icasiano.