ONE: Jarred Brooks confident he can choke out Joshua Pacio
Jarred Brooks and Joshua Pacio. ONE CHAMPIONSHIP
MANILA, Philippines—If Jarred Brooks will have his way, he won’t wait any longer to have his shot at ONE strawweight champion Joshua Pacio.
Brooks moved next in line for the Filipino standout’s world title after claiming an early submission win over top contender Bokang Masunyane at ONE 156 on Friday.
“It’s going to be sooner than later if Joshua takes it,” Brooks said. “Joshua, you better take it.”
The former UFC veteran has steamrolled every opponent he’s faced since coming over to ONE Championship.
The tough-as-nails American stopped Pacio’s teammate Lito Adiwang in November 2021 in his ONE debut before scoring a lopsided win over Hiroba Minowa two months later.
In his latest victory, Brooks forced Masunyane to tap out via rear-naked choke in the first round of their bout.
Pacio paid close attention to the fight and even congratulated Brooks on social media.
Brooks, however, appears to have no time for such as he kept egging Pacio to get their title fight over and done with.
“I just watched his Instagram story congratulating me, and he’s a classy guy. But I got to get that guy some more money with the TV that he has. I’ll buy him a new TV with the money [I get from beating] him,” said Brooks (19-2).
The 28-year-old Brooks has no doubt he is capable of making quick work of Pacio (20-3), who has successfully defended his belt thrice since reclaiming with by a stunning knockout over Yosuke Saruta in their rematch back in January 2019.
“I think it would go the same way as Lito, that I would choke him out in the first or second round. I think I’m getting better in almost every fight, and I think I could make him have trouble on the feet and the ground,” said Brooks.
“He’s pretty much had that belt for four years straight. If I can beat him, and then I end up fighting him again and beat him again, that just puts a staple on an outstanding career so far,” he added.
