Joshua “The Passion” Pacio, 29, of La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines is still the strawweight champion of ONE Championship, a combat sports promotion based in Singapore. Training at Lions Nation MMA in La Trinidad, he defeated Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks, 31, of Detroit, Michigan, United States for the third time.
From Yoshitaka Naito to Yosuke Saruta
Held in Yangon, Myanmar on October 7, 2016, “ONE: State of Warriors” marked the first time Pacio fought for the ONE Strawweight World Championship belt. He was submitted by then reigning champion Yoshitaka Naito of Japan.
On September 22, 2018, Pacio dethroned Naito via unanimous decision at “ONE: Conquest of Heroes” in Jakarta, Indonesia. This was the first time the Filipino mixed martial artist held the title.
On January 19, 2019, Pacio was dethroned by Yosuke Saruta of Japan via split decision at “ONE: Eternal Glory” in Jakarta, Indonesia. In their rematch at “ONE: Roots of Honor” in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines on April 12, 2019, the Filipino MMA fighter knocked out his Japanese opponent, who was then the defending champion.
Pacio successfully defended the title from Rene Catalan of the Philippines at “ONE: Masters of Fate” on November 8, 2019 and Alex Silva of Brazil at “ONE: Fire and Fury” on January 31, 2020 both in Pasay City. On September 24, 2021, Pacio successfully defended his title again by defeating Saruta via technical knockout at “ONE: Revolution” in Kallang, Singapore.
From ‘ONE 164’ to ‘ONE 171’
On December 3, 2022, Brooks challenged Pacio at “ONE 164” in Pasay City. The title bout ended via unanimous decision in favor of the American challenger, making him the new ONE Strawweight World Champion.
On October 7, 2023, Brooks defeated Mansur Malachiev fo Russia via unanimous decision at “ONE Fight Night 15” on Bangkok, Thailand. It was the Lions Nation MMA product’s 21st professional MMA win.
On March 1, 2024, Pacio reclaimed the ONE Strawweight World Championship belt by dethroning Brooks at “ONE 166” in Lusail, Qatar. The defending champion from Michigan was disqualified due to illegal slam.
On February 20, 2025, Brooks and Pacio fought in Lusail for the second time. The defending champion from Lions Nation MMA kept his belt by defeating his American challenger via TKO.
The victory improved Pacio’s professional MMA record to 22 wins and 4 losses. Brooks now has 21 wins, 5 losses and 1 No Contest.
CONAN Daily 