MMA: Pacio hails 'warrior' Brooks after foray to flyweight division | ABS-CBN
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MMA: Pacio hails 'warrior' Brooks after foray to flyweight division
ABS-CBN News
Published Dec 28, 2024 05:00 PM PHT
Jarred Brooks reacts after being disqualified against Joshua Pacio during their ONE Strawweight MMA World Championship bout at ONE 166, March 1, 2024 at the Lusail Sports Arena in Qatar. Handout/ONE Championship/File
Jarred Brooks reacts after being disqualified against Joshua Pacio during their ONE Strawweight MMA World Championship bout at ONE 166, March 1, 2024 at the Lusail Sports Arena in Qatar. Handout/ONE Championship/FileMANILA -- Filipino mixed martial arts (MMA) star Joshua Pacio sees no reason to criticize his rival, Jarred Brooks, after the American absorbed his first MMA defeat in ONE Championship two weeks ago.
MANILA -- Filipino mixed martial arts (MMA) star Joshua Pacio sees no reason to criticize his rival, Jarred Brooks, after the American absorbed his first MMA defeat in ONE Championship two weeks ago.
Brooks, who is the interim ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion, lost via split decision to Reece McLaren in a flyweight bout at ONE Fight Night 26.
Brooks, who is the interim ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion, lost via split decision to Reece McLaren in a flyweight bout at ONE Fight Night 26.
Pacio believes that the result should only motivate "The Monkey God" when they meet in their trilogy bout in February in Qatar, wherein they will determine the undisputed champion of the strawweight class.
Pacio believes that the result should only motivate "The Monkey God" when they meet in their trilogy bout in February in Qatar, wherein they will determine the undisputed champion of the strawweight class.
"I expect Jarred Brooks to really bounce back," said Pacio, who will face Brooks for the third time on February 20 in Qatar's Lusail Sports Arena.
"I expect Jarred Brooks to really bounce back," said Pacio, who will face Brooks for the third time on February 20 in Qatar's Lusail Sports Arena.
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"Even if we look at his loss against McLaren, I still look at him as a warrior because he was brave enough to move to another weight class. I think that fight also came on short notice for both of them, so he's really a warrior," the Filipino added.
"Even if we look at his loss against McLaren, I still look at him as a warrior because he was brave enough to move to another weight class. I think that fight also came on short notice for both of them, so he's really a warrior," the Filipino added.
McLaren weathered the expected onslaught from Brooks and eventually imposed his size and reach advantage on the natural strawweight. There were times when Brooks got him in a precarious position, but McLaren was evasive on the ground and showcased his striking skills as well.
McLaren weathered the expected onslaught from Brooks and eventually imposed his size and reach advantage on the natural strawweight. There were times when Brooks got him in a precarious position, but McLaren was evasive on the ground and showcased his striking skills as well.
"I'll have to give credit to Reece. He fought a masterful fight. He maintained the distance and connected," Pacio noted.
"I'll have to give credit to Reece. He fought a masterful fight. He maintained the distance and connected," Pacio noted.
"Even though Brooks got his back, he stayed composed and scrambled out. When they got back on their feet, McLaren was really good. Sometimes Brooks would expect a straight, then McLaren would land an elbow," he added.
"Even though Brooks got his back, he stayed composed and scrambled out. When they got back on their feet, McLaren was really good. Sometimes Brooks would expect a straight, then McLaren would land an elbow," he added.
Still, Pacio believes that given the proper time to prepare, Brooks' chances of beating someone in a higher weight class would improve.
Still, Pacio believes that given the proper time to prepare, Brooks' chances of beating someone in a higher weight class would improve.
"I think with a full fight camp," he said, "Jarred has a better chance of beating Reece McLaren."
"I think with a full fight camp," he said, "Jarred has a better chance of beating Reece McLaren."
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