Joshua Pacio did not say much, but he will most likely let his performance do the talking when he meets Jarred Brooks in ONE 164 for the Filipino’s Strawweight World Championship belt at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Dec. 3.
Brooks did most of the talking in his pre-fight faceoff with Pacio, promising to give the reigning champion a big problem with his wrestling and grappling.
And he could have other tricks up his sleeves after spending six months training in other styles of fighting in jiujitsu and and kickboxing.
The 26-year-old Pacio, who has been spending time at the gym sparring against the much heavier Stephen Loman, has stayed quiet and calm when Brooks talked about how he will make their encounter difficult.
“My edge is clearly in wrestling and grappling. And definitely Team Lakay has been struggling with grappling in the past,” said Brooks during a big presentation at The Theatre at Solaire on Wednesday night.
Brooks has done this in his encounters with Lito Adiwang, Hiroba Minowa, and Bokang Masunyane. And this kept the American fighter undefeated for six straight fights.
Still, Pacio is not expected to go down that easily with a hometown crowd rooting for him.
“I have been undefeated here in my country, in the Philippines. And I plan to do that again this December 3rd,” said Pacio.
So far, Pacio has avoided getting taken down on the floor in his last 14 fights. He will try to remain standing on the floor against Brooks, who is also known as the Monkey God.
“I’m definitely going to show the world,” said Brooks, as Pacio remained tightlipped on the American’s taunts.
If he Pacio wins, he will add up to his record of 20 victories against three setbacks.
He last prevailed over Yosuke Saruta by technical knockout in 3:39 of the first round during ONE: Revolution in September last year.
Brooks’ previous encounter saw him beating Bokang Mansunyane by technical submission in 4:39 of the first round on ONE:15