Joshua Pacio-Jarred Brooks Grudge Match To Headline ONE 158

The reigning king of the ONE Championship strawweight division in Joshua Pacio and No. 1 contender Jarred Brooks will finally get to share the cage at ONE 158 on June 3.

It was reported that the pair will headline the event as they settle their differences after months of exchanging barbs on social media.

ONE vice president Rich Franklin commented on the matchup between the two high-motor and dynamic fighters.

“Both of these guys have the gas for five rounds, and this one is personal. Brooks has wins over some of the division’s toughest, including Pacio’s teammate Lito Adiwang, and his aggressive style is matched by the trash-talking lyrics of pre-fight rap,” said Franklin as quoted by Sports Illustrated.

“He could become ‘The Lakay Killer,’ or Pacio could put all of Brooks’ trash-talking to an end.”

Brooks has been targeting Pacio and his strawweight title ever since he joined the promotion in October of last year following his dominant submission victory over Team Lakay knockout artist Lito Adiwang.

Stringing together two straight wins since then against ranked strawweights Hiroba Minowa and Bokang Masunyane, this meeting was bound to happen.

For Pacio, Brooks presents him with the toughest challenge yet in his long reign.

With a strong wrestling background to lean on coupled with his striking ability, Brooks will look to impose his will on Pacio quickly and early, as noted by the champion.

“I am the champion and ready to defend. I know Jarred will come as strong as he is, as ready as he is, but I’m going to use all the tools we’ve been working on. My team and I are set to remain champion,” the Team Lakay representative stated.

Being the sole member of his gym that has a ONE title around his waist since April 2019, the pressure is on Pacio to have his best performance yet against someone who has continued to pursue him.

A fearsome finisher in his own right, “The Passion” has seven knockouts and nine submission victories to his name since turning pro in 2013, even having a signature submission which he has since dubbed as the “Passion Lock”.

With a ton of pride and a title on the line, both fighters will be giving it their all to entertain the fans and get the best over the other.