MMA: Jarred Brooks determined to break Pinoys' hearts anew at ONE 171 | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
MMA: Jarred Brooks determined to break Pinoys' hearts anew at ONE 171
MMA: Jarred Brooks determined to break Pinoys' hearts anew at ONE 171
ABS-CBN News
Published Feb 17, 2025 08:40 PM PHT
Joshua Pacio and Jarred Brooks face off ahead of their ONE Strawweight MMA World Championship bout at ONE 166, March 1, 2024 at the Lusail Sports Arena in Qatar. Handout/ONE Championship/File
Joshua Pacio and Jarred Brooks face off ahead of their ONE Strawweight MMA World Championship bout at ONE 166, March 1, 2024 at the Lusail Sports Arena in Qatar. Handout/ONE Championship/File MANILA -- ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Champion Jarred Brooks is looking to deal another blow to the Philippine mixed martial arts scene when he clashes with Joshua Pacio at ONE 171: Qatar.
MANILA -- ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Champion Jarred Brooks is looking to deal another blow to the Philippine mixed martial arts scene when he clashes with Joshua Pacio at ONE 171: Qatar.
The third showdown between Brooks and Pacio will be for the unified ONE Strawweight MMA World Title, with "The Monkey God" targeting another quick finish -- and this time, a clear and emphatic victory.
The third showdown between Brooks and Pacio will be for the unified ONE Strawweight MMA World Title, with "The Monkey God" targeting another quick finish -- and this time, a clear and emphatic victory.
Their second encounter at ONE 166 in March 2024 -- also held at the Lusail Sports Arena in Doha -- saw Brooks disqualified in the early goings after slamming Pacio on his head.
Their second encounter at ONE 166 in March 2024 -- also held at the Lusail Sports Arena in Doha -- saw Brooks disqualified in the early goings after slamming Pacio on his head.
The American is determined to conquer Pacio once more and seal his place at the top of the division.
The American is determined to conquer Pacio once more and seal his place at the top of the division.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Yeah, I want to get it done [in the] first round. I'm gonna get it," Brooks said.
"Yeah, I want to get it done [in the] first round. I'm gonna get it," Brooks said.
"No matter where the fight takes me, I'm going to evolve and I'm going to erupt through Joshua Pacio's power and his spirit and his physicality. That's your job as a fighter and I want to put on a show for the fans as well."
"No matter where the fight takes me, I'm going to evolve and I'm going to erupt through Joshua Pacio's power and his spirit and his physicality. That's your job as a fighter and I want to put on a show for the fans as well."
Come fight time, Brooks expects to be up against not just Pacio, but also the Filipino community in Doha.
Come fight time, Brooks expects to be up against not just Pacio, but also the Filipino community in Doha.
While Filipino fans have always given Brooks respect -- even asking him for photos during his visit to the Philippines -- they have also showered them with boos whenever he fights local athletes.
While Filipino fans have always given Brooks respect -- even asking him for photos during his visit to the Philippines -- they have also showered them with boos whenever he fights local athletes.
"I know that a lot of those fans in Qatar are going to be against me, booing me, saying all kinds of slurs that you can think of, but at the same time, it has always been me versus the Philippines," he said.
"I know that a lot of those fans in Qatar are going to be against me, booing me, saying all kinds of slurs that you can think of, but at the same time, it has always been me versus the Philippines," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
"It hasn't been Joshua Pacio. Joshua Pacio has always been cool. But the Filipino fans are always [the] first to boo me."
"It hasn't been Joshua Pacio. Joshua Pacio has always been cool. But the Filipino fans are always [the] first to boo me."
He is already looking forward to the atmosphere at the Lusail Sports Arena, believing that the fans' response to them has elevated his rivalry with Pacio.
He is already looking forward to the atmosphere at the Lusail Sports Arena, believing that the fans' response to them has elevated his rivalry with Pacio.
"That's what makes this fight so big too. I gotta thank the Filipino fans [for] hating on me and doing that and making this such a spectacle," he said.
"That's what makes this fight so big too. I gotta thank the Filipino fans [for] hating on me and doing that and making this such a spectacle," he said.
"I think that this is an important thing for mixed martial arts, for ONE Championship, for my family, and the Philippines. It all comes down to this, man."
"I think that this is an important thing for mixed martial arts, for ONE Championship, for my family, and the Philippines. It all comes down to this, man."
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
