‘I’m There To Steal The Show’ – Jarred Brooks Aiming For Surprise Knockout Of Joshua Pacio At ONE 166: Qatar

Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks can’t wait to get his hands on Joshua “The Passion” Pacio in their rematch at ONE 166: Qatar. 

The ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion will defend the belt he took from Pacio when they meet again this Friday, March 1, and he’s planning to deliver an even more spectacular performance at the Lusail Sports Arena this time around.

Brooks earned a dominant five-round decision over the Filipino when they first squared off at ONE 164 in December 2022.

Now, the former wrestling star is eager to showcase his improved all-around MMA game – specifically, his striking – and overwhelm his rival at the historic event.

“The Monkey God” told onefc.com:

“Right now, I’m in the zone. There’s nothing that can stop me. I’m at the point where I’m ready to go. There’s no if or buts about it. I’m just ready to smash some face. 

“I’m there to steal the show. I’m there to get a (US)$50,000 bonus for the first time. But I’m there for more than just money. I’m there for my belt and to go out and provide for my daughter and my family. 

“I want it to be quick. And I want it to surprise him, surprise all of the people in Qatar, and surprise [ONE Chairman and CEO] Chatri Sityodtong by showing that I have really big knockout power for the size that I am.” 

Brooks has always been a confident fighter, but now that he sits atop the strawweight MMA division, he feels untouchable.  

“The Monkey God” dismantled Pacio in their first contest and believes he’s evolved massively since then, giving him a can’t-fail mindset ahead of fight night.  

The American titleholder said: 

“I’m way better than Jarred Brooks a year ago, and my tools have gotten so much better. 

“I’m not looking past Pacio. I think that he’s a great mixed martial artist, and I think he has honed his skills down to a tee, but it’s not good enough against Jarred Brooks. I’m telling you, nobody is going to beat me. I’m always going to adapt inside of the fight and outside of the fight. 

“I know that he’s hunting back, and he has always done well in his rematches, but I have that in my head as well. I already know what this guy is going to be coming with. He’s going to try to work on his angles. He’s going to try to put more aggression on me. But I’m ready for that.” 

Jarred Brooks Eyes Matchup With Demetrious Johnson: ‘I Do Think That I’m Better’

Jarred Brooks is focused on cementing himself as the greatest strawweight on the planet at ONE 166, but he also wants to conquer another division. 

After defending his gold against Joshua Pacio this Friday, “The Monkey God’s” next wish is to challenge ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson.  

Johnson has long been an inspiration for Brooks and is widely regarded as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time. Now, “The Monkey God” wants to show he can defeat his legendary compatriot.

Brooks said: 

“I want Demetrious Johnson. We are very, very close in size, stature, and speed. We’re very wrestling-heavy. We surprise people with our kicks. So, I think that it’s going to be a very, very interesting fight.  

“I do think that I’m better than Demetrious Johnson. Everybody might laugh and think that’s a fallacy. But I don’t think that it is in my head. I know that Demetrious Johnson is somebody that I can capitalize on. I’ve been studying him for years, and I don’t think that he’s ready for somebody to bring a storm like me.” 

With a pair of ONE Championship shows booked for the USA later in the year, Brooks thinks a home setting would be the ideal setting for a potential super-fight.  

The 30-year-old is also sure that he would rise to the occasion live in U.S. primetime and prove he’s up there with the sport’s all-time greats. 

“The Monkey God” added: 

“I think the United States would be perfect because it’s two United States superstars. Don’t get me wrong, he has a lot more star power than me, but going against somebody like Demetrious will bring out my star power and show people that I am more of a salesman, and that I can do it better than Demetrious Johnson inside and outside of the cage. 

“I’m ready to show that I am still the best in the world at strawweight, and hopefully, I can show the world that I’m the best flyweight.”