Joshua Pacio’s Smart Training Strategy Leads to Victory Over Jarred Brooks

Joshua Pacio made a bold decision in his training leading up to his trilogy bout with Jarred Brooks, and it paid off in a big way. The Filipino MMA star knew he had to test himself against larger fighters to prepare for the pressure Brooks would bring in their highly-anticipated fight at ONE Championship 171. By constantly putting himself in difficult positions during sparring, Pacio built the resilience necessary to dominate in his bout.

In the co-main event at ONE 171, held at the Lusail Sports Arena in Doha, Pacio faced Brooks and displayed remarkable composure. Despite surviving multiple submission attempts from Brooks in the first round, Pacio found his rhythm in the second, applying relentless pressure and ultimately securing a TKO win. This victory not only showcased his skills but also unified the ONE Strawweight MMA World Title.

Pacio credited his success to the extensive sparring and training sessions with top-tier fighters, particularly with Stephen Loman, who helped him endure choke attempts in practice. According to Pacio, being choked out repeatedly in training allowed him to stay calm under pressure during the fight. "I’ve been choked out a hundred times in the gym, so I know the feeling. It prepared me for every scenario Jarred would throw at me," Pacio explained.

Although Pacio entered the fight as the underdog, he was confident in his preparation. He knew that his extensive training on various fight scenarios—whether standing or on the ground—had set him up for success. “My wrestling and jiu-jitsu coaches worked with me on every position I’d face in this fight,” he said. This thorough preparation played a crucial role in his ability to survive the first round and finish strong in the second.

With this win, Pacio proved that his methodical training strategy was a key factor in his performance, solidifying his place as one of the top fighters in the strawweight division.