It’s safe to say that Joshua “The Passion” Pacio hasn’t forgotten about Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks.
In fact, his determination to fully recover from an ACL injury is largely fueled by this intense rivalry with the outspoken American mixed martial artist.
“The thing between me and him is an unfinished business. It needs to be settled, and I am determined to be the one to finish it,” the reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion said.
The 28-year-old Baguio City native is eagerly working towards recovery, undergoing physical therapy since June.
However, there remains no definite timetable for his return to action. This uncertainty led to ONE Championship recently crowning an interim titleholder.
That belt was at stake earlier this month when Brooks faced off against #3-ranked contender Gustavo “El Gladiador” Balart in the main event of ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video.
Motivated to have a new set of 26 pounds of gold in his collection, Brooks showcased his prowess by submitting the former Cuban Olympic wrestler with a rear-naked choke in the first round.
While “The Monkey God” basked in the glory of his triumph, he took a moment during his post-fight interview to call out Pacio.
“The Passion,” watching from his home, took note of his rival’s remarks.
“I heard him loud and clear. I’m doing my best in my recovery. I’m just here, Jarred. Wait for me, I’m not going anywhere,” he stated.
“I’m committed to getting back to where I belong. I have no plans of sitting on the sidelines for long.”
The feud between the two began in December 2022 when Brooks took the strap from Pacio in a dramatic clash.
Their paths crossed again this past March, but the rematch ended in controversial fashion when Brooks was disqualified for an illegal head-first slam. This allowed Pacio to reclaim the seat atop the weight class.
With Brooks now recognized as the division’s interim champion, the need to settle the score is even more pressing for the Lions Nation MMA co-founder.
“A third fight against Brooks is exactly what I want,” Pacio quipped.
