3 Key Adjustments For Joshua Pacio In World Title Trilogy Fight Against Jarred Brooks At ONE 171: Qatar
Reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio has a tall task ahead of him in the main event of ONE 171: Qatar.
This Thursday, February 20, the Filipino superstar will square off with interim titleholder Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks in an epic World Title trilogy fight to unify the divisional belts.
There’s plenty of history between these fighters. They first collided in late 2022 at ONE 164, as Brooks earned an impressive decision win to capture the Filipino’s undisputed strawweight MMA crown.
They rematched in March 2024 at ONE 166: Qatar, where the American delivered an illegal slam in the opening minute, losing via disqualification and giving the World Title back to Pacio.
It’s clear “The Passion” will need to make some critical tactical adjustments to leave Qatar as the undisputed ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion. Here, we look at three of his biggest keys to victory.
#1 Increased Striking On The Feet
As a dynamic and explosive striker who is facing a brutally powerful wrestler in Brooks, it’s no secret that Pacio must keep the fight standing. However, simply defending takedowns won’t be enough.
In their first meeting, “The Passion” successfully defended nearly all of the American’s takedown attempts but struggled to land much effective offense while standing – an area where many expected him to own a significant advantage.
If he hopes to turn the tide, the Lions Nation MMA product must unleash his show-stopping punches, kicks, and knee strikes in an effort to both damage Brooks and dissuade him from shooting for takedowns.
Pacio will need to be selective, but he can’t afford to let his rival dictate the action on the feet.
#2 Control The Distance
For “The Passion” to defend takedowns and land strikes on the feet, he’ll first need to manage and control the distance.
This means Pacio needs to employ intelligent footwork to keep his back off the Circle Wall, where Brooks can work for takedowns. What’s more, he’d be wise to stifle “The Monkey God’s” movement, actively pressure him against the cage, and fire off his trademark combinations.
When the pair first fought, Brooks was able to move at will and dart in and out of range with speedy boxing combinations and takedown attempts. Pacio has undoubtedly been working hard to deal with that nonstop movement.
Beyond his footwork, the Filipino can control the distance with specific strikes. A thudding jab or a rib-crunching intercepting knee would go far toward disrupting Brooks’ rhythm and preventing him from dictating the exchanges on the feet.
#3 An Improved Get-Up Game
While Pacio will invest plenty of energy into defending takedowns, he should have a clear plan to regain his feet if the fight does hit the canvas.
“The Passion” spent nearly the entire first round of their first fight on his back and seemingly didn’t have an answer for Brooks’ suffocating top control. And, when he did find some space to move, Pacio attacked with a guillotine choke rather than standing back up.
In the trilogy fight at ONE 171 this week, “The Passion” should focus on getting back to a standing position if he’s taken down. The moment his back hits the mat, he must create frames, get his feet on Brooks’ hips, and explode upward.
This approach would help Pacio avoid his foe’s world-class grappling and put him in a better position to press his own advantages.
