"What I wanted, but not how I wanted it" - Strawweight MMA king Joshua Pacio unpacks roller coaster 2024

ONE strawweight MMA world champion Joshua Pacio is grateful for the chance to end his year atop the division, though it came through the most unusual scenario.

The Lions Nation MMA representative headed into 2024 with eyes on the crown he once owned.

A victory over previously unbeaten Mansur Malachiev in the year prior set him up for a chance to run it back against Jarred Brooks on the promotion's debut in Qatar, ONE 166, this past March.

As game as he was to put on a show, their world title contest inside the Lusail Sports Arena ended prematurely after Brooks inadvertently spiked him on the back of the head.

Due to the unfortunate ending, the 26 pounds of gold switched hands, with Joshua Pacio reclaiming his world title by DQ inside 56 seconds.

Thankfully, 'The Passion' left the circle without any major injuries, but a separate spell on the sidelines postponed any chance of him returning to action this year.

Reflecting on his topsy-turvy run in the promotion in 2024, Joshua Pacio had this to say in an interview with ONE Championship:

"Looking back at this year, all I can do is thank God still. I know that He is in control. Me winning that belt, I look at it as still God giving me what I wanted, but now how I wanted it."

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Joshua Pacio and Jarred Brooks trilogy set for early next year

During Joshua Pacio's time away from the spotlight, Brooks claimed the interim gold with a submission win over Gustavo Balart at ONE Fight Night 24.

With the triumph, the Mash Fight Team superstar booked a unification tie against 'The Passion' that gets underway at ONE 171: Qatar on Feb. 20.

Their trilogy meeting will be one of two five-round scraps on the promotion's return to the Lusail Sports Arena.

In the main event, defending king Jonathan Haggerty and challenger 'Demon Blade' Wei Rui lock horns in a clash for the ONE bantamweight kickboxing world championship.