Joshua Pacio celebrates after beating Jarred Brooks to become the undisputed ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion at ONE 171 in the Lusail Sports Arena in Doha, Qatar on February 20, 2025. Handout/ONE Championship

The long wait was worth it for Joshua Pacio, as the Filipino mixed martial arts star overcame archrival Jarred Brooks to become the undisputed king of ONE Championship's strawweight MMA division.

Pacio completed a thrilling comeback to stop Brooks in the second round of their championship showdown on Thursday at the Lusail Sports Arena in Doha, Qatar, in front of a crowd filled with Filipinos.

On the backfoot after fending off a series of submission attempts from Brooks in the opening round, Pacio turned the tide in the second frame and unloaded a plethora of unanswered strikes that forced the referee to stop the bout with just 38 seconds to go.

With the result, Pacio unified the ONE Strawweight MMA World Title.

"This year, a lot of people doubted me. But I tell you, never doubt the living God that I serve," an elated Pacio said after his victory.

READ: Pacio-Brooks III to co-headline ONE 171: Qatar

READ: How Joshua Pacio's career 'pause' in 2024 gave him newfound purpose

Pacio had won the ONE Strawweight MMA World Title in the same venue in March 2024, but his triumph came in controversial fashion. Brooks was disqualified in their ONE 166 bout after spiking the "Passion" on his head -- a banned move in MMA.

The Filipino fighter revealed afterward that he fought even with a knee injury, which eventually sidelined him for the rest of the year. While he was out of action, Brooks won the interim title, setting the stage for another match-up between the two.

Brooks, the brash American with the moniker "The Monkey God," appeared headed for a submission win as he locked in a guillotine midway through the opening round. Pacio repeatedly attempted to roll out of danger, but Brooks managed to keep his hold on his neck as the round progressed.

It was only in the closing seconds that Pacio broke free from the hold, and rained down a few punches on Brooks as time expired. It proved to be a preview of the second round, where Pacio reversed the momentum against his rival.

The Filipino star brought Brooks on his back and proceeded to land heavy strikes, with the American having no answer. The time of stoppage was at the 4:22 mark of the second round, for a technical knockout victory for Pacio.

"I just want to tell you, God blessed me with the right people. My team, Lions Nation MMA. My family, my church. Qatar, you are wonderful. The Filipino kababayans here, thank you very much. Bring me back here again," Pacio said.

READ: Jarred Brooks determined to break Pinoys' hearts anew at ONE 171

The Lions Nation MMA standout improved to 14-4 in his career, while also handing Brooks a second straight defeat. The American had bowed to Reece McLaren in a flyweight match in December, and now has a 5-4 record.

Pacio also has a 2-1 edge against Brooks in their saga, having finally gotten a decisive result. However, the champion does not rule out another encounter with Brooks in the future.

"Honestly, I'm ready to go full five rounds with Jarred. But I know there's something wrong with him and in the future we're gonna do it again. So this is not the end. This is just the beginning," said Pacio.

For now, however, he and his team will celebrate before they bring the gold back to the Philippines.

"This is a new season for Lions Nation MMA and for the Passion," he said.