“He’s a well-rounded athlete” - Joshua Pacio understands the offensive threat of Jarred Brooks’ game

Reigning ONE strawweight world champion Joshua Pacio understands the dangers that his challenger Jarred Brooks brings to the table.

Ahead of their upcoming world title bout in the main event of ONE 164: Pacio vs Brooks on December 3 inside the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines, ‘The Passion’ gave an honest assessment of the American’s skills.

‘The Monkey God’ has whipped up a storm with his never-ending trash talk and criticism of the 125-pound king. The Team Lakay stalwart, on the other hand, refuses to let Brooks get under his skin.

Antics aside, Pacio acknowledges the Mash Fight Team representative as a formidable challenger with a refined skill set.

Before they face each other inside the circle, the pair figured in a highly-entertaining back-and-forth during a virtual face-off on JM Siasat’s Sparring Sessions.

Apart from their usual pre-fight banter, the Filipino also praised Jarred Brooks for his elite grappling and ever-improving stand-up game:

“Jarred Brooks, we know his caliber. He’s a very high-level wrestler, very good in the ground. His striking is also leveling up, and we watched that in his fight with Hiroba Minowa. I think he’s a well-rounded athlete, he’s complete.”

Brooks, of course, found success early in his career in North America using his explosive grappling acumen to record 19 career wins with eight coming by submission.

The 29-year-old has also won his first three matches inside the circle in convincing fashion.

Jarred Brooks submitted Pacio’s Team Lakay teammate Lito Adiwang on his ONE debut and also choked out Bokang Masunyane in his last outing.

Pacio, though, was highly impressed by the American’s performance against Minowa. ‘The Monkey God’ showcased what he could do on the feet as well, as he used his crisp boxing to outpoint the Japanese star.

Relive Brooks’ sensational outing vs. Minowa below:

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Jarred Brooks says he’ll give Joshua Pacio a rematch in America

Most fighters would be fazed by the idea of figuring in a world title fight in enemy territory. Brooks, however, doesn't seem bothered at all that he’ll be facing the world champion in front of thousands of Filipino fans who will jeer at him.

In fact, ‘The Monkey God’ is so certain about his victory that he’s already talking about giving Pacio a rematch on American soil.

Brooks made this clear in the same interview:

“I’m fighting in your home country when you have the belt, so when I have the belt, you can come to my home country and have a good old taste of America… I’ll have people show you around, wine and dine you, all that stuff, man. And still, I’ll retain my belt, and you can enjoy your time in America.”

Brooks believes he’ll be bringing the ONE strawweight world title to America, and doesn’t mind hosting Pacio for a do-over.

‘The Passion’, however, offered this witty clap back about Brooks’ offer.

“That’s amazing, I can defend my belt in America!”

Watch Pacio and Brooks’ full interaction below: