The Passion doesn’t have plans for Christmas and New Year.
Filipinos are big on family. That’s why there’s no way any Pinoy is skipping reunions during the holiday season.
But not Joshua Pacio.
The Passion wants to focus on reclaiming the ONE Strawweight MMA World Championship when he takes on Jarred “The Monkey God" Brooks in a rematch.
The rematch is set less than three months away from now, but Pacio plans to amp up his training for the ONE 166: Qatar card at Lusali Sports Arena.
“There will be no Christmas or New Year for me. I want to make sure that I come into camp laser focused. I want to get that belt again,” he said.
The Lions MMA standout is coming off a win against no. 5 ranked Mansur Malachiev in ONE Night 15: Le vs Freymanov last October. But he found his performance still wanting.
That’s why he is hellbent on coming out a better fighter against Brooks, who has curiously not fought since beating Pacio by decision in December 2022.
“Going up to that fight, I had a lot of things going on in my mind,” he said. “I was telling you guys, ‘I am focused,’ but leading up to that fight, it was really tough to focus, especially with what happened behind the scenes.”
Pacio couldn’t help but feel excited entering the new year, which he hopes will bring more good fortune starting with a win over The Monkey Good—and a longer title reign thereafter.
And it will have to start with him preparing better for the rematch.
(MDB)