Doha, Qatar: ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua Pacio and interim king Jarred Brooks are ready to settle their rivalry in a high-stakes unification bout at ONE 171: Qatar this Thursday, February 20, at Lusail Sports Arena.
With their series tied at one win each, both fighters didn't hold back as they shared their thoughts during Monday’s press conference in Doha. They exchanged bold statements and confidence ahead of their third encounter inside the Circle.
"The difference this time is, of course, I'm going to win. Yeah, I'm going to win," Pacio said.
While their second meeting ended in controversy after Brooks was disqualified for an illegal slam, the 29-year-old Filipino World Champion is leaving the past behind and focusing only on what’s ahead.
"The last time I won, but it's not the way that we wanted to. I believe Jesus had a purpose for it, and I learned a lot from that. I don't look at the past, I look forward, and here we are. It will be different. It will be different this time," he added.
For ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Champion Brooks, however, this fight is also about legacy. The American superstar is determined to erase any doubt with a statement victory.
"I want to be remembered as the true strawweight World Champion," Brooks said.
"I'm surprised that Joshua spoke without my permission. So, I'm very surprised that he decided to speak and said that he was going to win this fight.
"I am going to go out, and I'm going to finish him on Thursday. Whether you like it or not, I'm gonna go out, and I'm gonna finish him."
Both Pacio and Brooks have emerged as two of the best strawweight fighters in MMA, using their striking and wrestling prowess to dominate opponents in front of them.
In ONE's strawweight MMA division, Pacio has a staggering 13-4 record, while Brooks, who arrived in the promotion in 2021, holds a 5-1 record. And if their past encounters are any indication, their trilogy bout on Thursday will deliver more fireworks as they have spent years studying each other.
That said, Pacio insists that he has leveled up in every aspect of his game.
"We didn't see much in the last fight," he said.
"There [was] a little bit of adjustment. But you know, I'm more confident this time. Confident, but I'm not boasting. Confident in my skills. And why do you think I'm here if I don't think I'm gonna win, right? So that's the mindset that I'm in, and I'm gonna win this Thursday."
Brooks, on the other hand, had only one response:
"He thought twice. He thought twice. Now, now, now, now, this is the third time. I promise you, the third time's the charm. That's what's gonna happen. The third time is a charm, and it's gonna be pretty, I tell you that."
