MMA: How Joshua Pacio and Jarred Brooks reconciled following horrid ONE 166 finish
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MMA: How Joshua Pacio and Jarred Brooks reconciled following horrid ONE 166 finish
Rom Anzures,
ABS-CBN News
Published Mar 29, 2024 05:30 PM PHT
Action between Joshua Pacio and Jarred Brooks in their ONE Strawweight World Title Match at ONE 166 in Qatar, March 1, 2024. Handout/ONE Championship
Action between Joshua Pacio and Jarred Brooks in their ONE Strawweight World Title Match at ONE 166 in Qatar, March 1, 2024. Handout/ONE ChampionshipMANILA — The ending of Joshua Pacio and Jarred Brooks' One Strawweight World Title Match was horrid, to say the least.
MANILA — The ending of Joshua Pacio and Jarred Brooks' One Strawweight World Title Match was horrid, to say the least.
'The Monkey God' illegally slammed 'The Passion' onto the mat 56 seconds into their bout in Qatar in early March, with Pacio's head hitting the floor in a very dangerous manner, and the Filipino revealed that he was left unconscious for a moment.
'The Monkey God' illegally slammed 'The Passion' onto the mat 56 seconds into their bout in Qatar in early March, with Pacio's head hitting the floor in a very dangerous manner, and the Filipino revealed that he was left unconscious for a moment.
"Talagang semi-unconscious ako," Pacio told reporters during a media availability last March 16.
"Talagang semi-unconscious ako," Pacio told reporters during a media availability last March 16.
"Tapos, ang gumising lang sa akin yung sumunod na suntok niya."
"Tapos, ang gumising lang sa akin yung sumunod na suntok niya."
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He was eventually awarded the World Title via disqualification and was then rushed into the hospital. Fortunately, Pacio didn't suffer any serious complications.
He was eventually awarded the World Title via disqualification and was then rushed into the hospital. Fortunately, Pacio didn't suffer any serious complications.
"Hindi ko pa talaga alam na nanalo ako via disqualification," Pacio said.
"Hindi ko pa talaga alam na nanalo ako via disqualification," Pacio said.
"After the fight, masakit pa talaga, pero ngayon, okay naman na. Meron lang akong nararamdaman na maliliit na ugat na pag bigla akong gumalaw, masakit. May neck din brace ako, tinanggal ko lang kasi uncomfortable sakin," he explained.
"After the fight, masakit pa talaga, pero ngayon, okay naman na. Meron lang akong nararamdaman na maliliit na ugat na pag bigla akong gumalaw, masakit. May neck din brace ako, tinanggal ko lang kasi uncomfortable sakin," he explained.
In the morning after their clash, while the Pinoy fighter was having his breakfast, he once again faced his tormentor.
In the morning after their clash, while the Pinoy fighter was having his breakfast, he once again faced his tormentor.
"Habang kumakain ako, nag kita kami," Pacio recalled.
"Habang kumakain ako, nag kita kami," Pacio recalled.
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But what followed was not a hostile encounter, but rather, a personal and heartfelt moment between the two fighters.
But what followed was not a hostile encounter, but rather, a personal and heartfelt moment between the two fighters.
Joshua Pacio and Jarred Brooks after their fight at ONE 166. Handout/ONE Championship
Joshua Pacio and Jarred Brooks after their fight at ONE 166. Handout/ONE Championship"Then niyakap niya ako agad. Sa isip ko: 'Iiyak 'to,' tapos umiyak nga," he said in jest.
"Then niyakap niya ako agad. Sa isip ko: 'Iiyak 'to,' tapos umiyak nga," he said in jest.
"Pero doon ko nakita yung real na Jarred Brooks. People see him as a showman, pero para sa'kin, he just needs to do [his] thing."
"Pero doon ko nakita yung real na Jarred Brooks. People see him as a showman, pero para sa'kin, he just needs to do [his] thing."
"For me, dun ko nakita yung other side ni Jarred Brooks. Dun ko nakita yung real na Jarred Brooks. Hindi kami nag usap tungkol sa laban o sa trilogy, we talked about kung anong buhay niya sa US, yung mga training niya, ayun."
"For me, dun ko nakita yung other side ni Jarred Brooks. Dun ko nakita yung real na Jarred Brooks. Hindi kami nag usap tungkol sa laban o sa trilogy, we talked about kung anong buhay niya sa US, yung mga training niya, ayun."
"Nung nire-review niya yung laban, sinabi niya na hindi niya intensyon yun. Hindi naman niya sinasadya eh, nasa instinct niya, pero alam niya yung rules," Pacio said as he shared how their conversation went.
"Nung nire-review niya yung laban, sinabi niya na hindi niya intensyon yun. Hindi naman niya sinasadya eh, nasa instinct niya, pero alam niya yung rules," Pacio said as he shared how their conversation went.
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Now that Pacio and Brooks have reconciled, the priority for the former is to recover from the incident.
Now that Pacio and Brooks have reconciled, the priority for the former is to recover from the incident.
"Fourteen days na no [heavy] training, and two months na walang competition sabi ng doctors ng ONE Championship. Light training lang [muna ako], two months mag-hihintay tayo."
"Fourteen days na no [heavy] training, and two months na walang competition sabi ng doctors ng ONE Championship. Light training lang [muna ako], two months mag-hihintay tayo."
However, Pacio is already raring to get back into top condition and return to his fiery form as he wants to deal with the 'unfinished business' that he has with Brooks whom he considers as his greatest rival.
However, Pacio is already raring to get back into top condition and return to his fiery form as he wants to deal with the 'unfinished business' that he has with Brooks whom he considers as his greatest rival.
"Gusto ko yung trilogy, ngayon year din eh. Sana dito sa Pilipinas," Pacio shared.
"Gusto ko yung trilogy, ngayon year din eh. Sana dito sa Pilipinas," Pacio shared.
"Si Jarred talaga [gusto kong makalaban next]. Kasi for me, it's unfinished business," Pacio said, while also expressing how the overall experience brought out the best in him.
"Si Jarred talaga [gusto kong makalaban next]. Kasi for me, it's unfinished business," Pacio said, while also expressing how the overall experience brought out the best in him.
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"In this training camp, ito talaga yung best na training camp ko dahil sa kanya. He made me a better athlete, a better MMA fighter, lahat na, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, so masasabi ko, siya na yung pinaka best na nakaharap ko in my entire career."
"In this training camp, ito talaga yung best na training camp ko dahil sa kanya. He made me a better athlete, a better MMA fighter, lahat na, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, so masasabi ko, siya na yung pinaka best na nakaharap ko in my entire career."
It even opened up the opportunity for the two protagonists to hold their third fight in Pacio's home court.
It even opened up the opportunity for the two protagonists to hold their third fight in Pacio's home court.
"Everything happens for a reason. Kahit na hindi natin gusto yung way ng pagkapanalo, may plans si God, and I think isa na yun, para bumalik yung ONE Championship dito sa Pilipinas," he said.
"Everything happens for a reason. Kahit na hindi natin gusto yung way ng pagkapanalo, may plans si God, and I think isa na yun, para bumalik yung ONE Championship dito sa Pilipinas," he said.
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