In an unexpected turn of events at ONE 166 in Qatar, Jarred Brooks was disqualified for an illegal move against Joshua Pacio, resulting in Pacio reclaiming the ONE strawweight world title. The disqualification came after Brooks executed a slam that landed Pacio on his head within the first minute of the opening round, a move deemed illegal in the competition.
The match, held at Lusail Arena, was abruptly ended at the 56-second mark of the first round when the referee called off the fight, awarding Pacio the victory by disqualification. Brooks, initially celebrating what he thought was a win, was taken aback by the disqualification for his illegal action.
Pacio, though conscious, was immediately rushed to the hospital for medical evaluation following the incident, as stated by ONE Championship. This development marks a significant moment in the rivalry between Brooks and Pacio, with Pacio regaining the title under unusual circumstances.
This match was highly anticipated, with both fighters expressing confidence and a strong desire to prove their dominance in the strawweight division. Brooks’s intent to finish Pacio in this rematch was clear, but the outcome was far from what he had envisioned. On the other hand, Pacio’s focus on mental preparation and honing his boxing and wrestling skills for the rematch paid off, albeit in an unforeseen way.
The disqualification highlights the importance of adherence to the rules and the safety of fighters in mixed martial arts competitions. As Pacio recovers, the incident will likely be a talking point in the sport, emphasizing the critical nature of fair play and the consequences of illegal actions in the ring.