Joshua Pacio admits he’s been ‘more cautious in training’ since ACL injury

Reigning ONE strawweight MMA world champion and former Team Lakay member 'The Passion' Joshua Pacio of the Philippines is coming off a lengthy battle with a nagging knee injury that has kept him sidelined for the majority of 2024.

Following his much publicized rematch against American rival 'The Monkey God' Jarred Brooks at ONE 166: Qatar last March, Pacio tore his ACL in training and immediately underwent surgery.

Now that the doctor has cleared him to participate in full contact training, Pacio admits he's still a bit more cautious than normal.

He told YouTube channel The MMA Superfan in a recent guest appearance:

"I don’t have that superstitious thinking that prevents me from doing what I did before. But for sure, I’ve been more cautious in training. I’m cautious in such a way that I will not get injured again, but to say that I’m cautious in terms of doubting the positions I’m in is not accurate. I don’t have the mindset of not being able to bring out my 100 percent best in training or in fighting. I never had that."

Pacio returns to action early this year to settle the score with Brooks in the same venue.

Joshua Pacio to face Jarred Brooks in trilogy match for world title at ONE 171: Qatar

'The Passion' Joshua Pacio is set to unify his ONE strawweight MMA world title with interim king 'The Monkey God' Jarred Brooks in an all-important trilogy matchup.

The two lock horns at ONE 171: Qatar, which broadcasts live from the Lusail Sports Arena in Lusail, Qatar on Thursday, February 20.

Fans in the United States and Canada can visit ONE Championship's official website for more information on how to watch. Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding the event as it happens.