Joshua Pacio Reclaims ONE Strawweight MMA World Title After Jarred Brooks Gets DQ’d For Illegal Slam

ONE Championship’s global fan base will have to wait a little bit longer for a definitive conclusion to the heated rivalry between Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks and Joshua “The Passion” Pacio.

The stars went toe-to-toe in a rematch for Brooks’ ONE Strawweight MMA World Title in one of the co-main events of ONE 166: Qatar at Lusail Sports Arena on Friday, March 1, and the bout ended in surprising fashion.

Brooks entered the opening stanza like a bolt of lighting, but he failed to find his range as he struck the Filipino from the outside.

Pacio – the former divisional king and #1-ranked contender – would have better success.

“The Passion” landed a low kick, but he was quickly wrapped up by his American rival. “The Monkey God” then locked in a standing leg triangle and searched for a rear-naked choke.

When he couldn’t find the submission, Brooks changed his approach. He scooped up the Filipino and slammed him onto the canvas, inadvertently striking Pacio’s head and rendering him unable to continue.

Under the Global Mixed Martial Arts Rule Set, there are no slams to the head, neck, or spine allowed. As a result, Brooks was disqualified at the 56-second mark of round one, and Pacio was awarded the ONE Strawweight MMA World Title.

Now with the series tied 1-1, fans should expect a trilogy to happen at some point in the future.