SUMMARY
- Jarred Brooks and Joshua Pacio faced off at ONE 166: Qatar in a strawweight MMA title fight.
- The bout ended on a controversial note after Brooks was disqualified for an illegal strike.
Jarred Brooks and Joshua Pacio came together in a heartwarming show of respect after their ONE Strawweight MMA World Title rematch ended in controversy at ONE 166: Qatar this past weekend.
“The Passion” emerged as the strawweight MMA king by disqualification after a Brooks slam went awry at the blockbuster event on Friday, March 1. He illegally spiked the Filipino star on his head – a violation of ONE Championship’s global MMA rule set.
Brooks immediately began to celebrate in the belief that he had won by TKO before the disqualification was announced.
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A remorseful Brooks shared his genuine concern for Pacio in the hours following the event at Lusail Sports Arena in Lusail, Qatar.
“I wish nothing but the best for you brother. I hope you’re OK. I am sorry for letting down my family and the organization. I did not intentionally do anything,” Brooks wrote on social media.
The rivalry between the pair now stands at 1-1 after Brooks triumphed by unanimous decision in their first meeting in 2022. But Pacio’s wellbeing is the most pressing matter before the score can finally be settled in a trilogy bout.
Joshua Pacio and Jarred Brooks show mutual respect in ONE 166: Qatar aftermath
It has been revealed that Joshua Pacio is ok after being slammed on his head and neck by Jarred Brooks at ONE 166: Qatar. In response to “The Monkey God’s” apology, Pacio wrote a heartfelt message on Instagram to console the former strawweight MMA king.
“My brother Jarred, you don’t need to be sorry because you did nothing wrong, you didn’t let anybody down. Remember that. You are a great champion, great person and a great father,” Pacio wrote.
“This is a dangerous sport we play in. Anything can happen inside the Circle. Jarred and I work hard to put on a show for everyone. But only athletes can understand what we feel because they know the journey, the sacrifices, the blood and the sweat, how much time they put into it.”
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Pacio and Brooks shared a warm embrace in a show of mutual respect by two of the best strawweight MMA athletes in the world.
Pacio’s Instagram post even revealed that Brooks joined him and his Lion’s Nation MMA team, spearheaded by ONE legend Eduard Folayang, for breakfast. ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong revealed at the post-fight press conference that Pacio is suspected to have suffered a sprain to his neck, which will serve as a relief to the MMA world.