“I have to train my mind” - Joshua Pacio working on mental strength while unable to train at the gym

Reigning ONE strawweight MMA world champion 'The Passion' Joshua Pacio of the Philippines is deep into recovery mode, nursing a torn ACL.

He has been out indefinitely since injuring his knee earlier this year, following a disqualification victory over former king 'The Monkey God' Jarred Brooks at ONE 166: Qatar last March.

But while he isn't able to physically get up and start hitting the bag, Pacio says he has been trying to focus on other aspects of his game, particularly his mental approach.

Speaking to Tiebreaker Times in a recent interview, Pacio says he has been working to strengthen his mind while he is on the sidelines.

'The Passion' said:

"What I’m really focusing on now is my mind. It was tough to accept the injury, any athlete will have a hard time accepting injuries like that. Since I can’t train physically, I have to train my mind. Put myself in positions where I’m fighting. How would you react in that situation? In a way, your mind is still working."

Pacio represents the very best of Philippine MMA, and as its lone remaining MMA world champion, the 28-year-old Lions Nation MMA representative believes he has a huge responsibility to carry the nation's flag in the world's largest martial arts organization.

'The Passion' Joshua Pacio can't wait to run it back with 'The Monkey God' Jarred Brooks in unification showdown

'The Monkey God' Jarred Brooks claimed the ONE interim strawweight MMA world title with a first-round victory over Gustavo Balart earlier this month. That set up an inevitable strawweight MMA world title unification showdown with 'The Passion' Joshua Pacio.

The two are on a collision course to meet for an all-important trilogy match down the line, and Pacio is all for it.

He told ONE Championship:

"A third fight against Brooks is exactly what I want."

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding Joshua Pacio's recovery.