“It’s just going to be a continuation from our last fight” - Joshua Pacio on Jarred Brooks trilogy at ONE 171: Qatar

ONE strawweight MMA world champion Joshua Pacio is expecting little change in his scheduled trilogy match with interim titleholder Jarred Brooks in February as far as their approaches go. However, he is looking to be able to show more than what he was able to last time around.

The two top strawweight fighters are featured in a unification bout at ONE 171: Qatar on Feb. 20, 2025. It is one of two already-confirmed world title matches at the event happening at the Lusail Sports Arena in Lusail.

In an interview with The MMA Superfan, Joshua Pacio shared his thoughts on taking on 'The Monkey God' for a third time, saying:

"I think it's just going to be a continuation from our last fight. Like you said, I wasn't able to show anything in that last fight, it was just one leg kick. God willing, we would be able to to show more this time."

Check out what he had to say below:

Pacio and Brooks last fought in March this year also in Qatar in a strawweight title rematch. It, however, ended abruptly early in the opening round after the American fighter, then the world champion, executed an illegal slam that saw the Filipino fighter hit his head first on the canvas.

The move automatically earned him a disqualification and he had to surrender his world title to 'The Passion,' from whom he took the same by decision in their first encounter in December 2022.

They now out to complete their unfinished business at ONE 171: Qatar, which will be aired live and for free in U.S. primetime to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.

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Joshua Pacio out for redemption at ONE 171: Qatar

With the way things ended for him in his last match, Joshua Pacio is looking for redemption when he returns to action at ONE 171: Qatar on Feb. 20.

He spoke about it in the same interview with The MMA Superfan, underscoring that he has moved on from the harrowing experience of the illegal slam he got from Jarred Brooks and is now eyeing to redeem himself with a well-earned victory in their trilogy title fight.

Joshua Pacio said:

"For me, I'm not affected by it mentally, nor am I traumatized by it. I think, like I said before, the last time was just really God's protection and at the same time God's favor. And if it's in God's plan for it to happen again in Qatar, then God-willing, that's where we will claim redemption."

ONE 171 will be the first fight back of Joshua Pacio after undergoing surgery for a knee injury he suffered even before he took on Brooks in their rematch back in March.