In a dramatic turn of events, Joshua Pacio of Lions Nation MMA reclaimed the ONE strawweight world title after his rematch with Jarred Brooks ended in Brooks’ disqualification. The match, which took place in Qatar on Friday, concluded when Brooks performed an illegal move by slamming Pacio on his head. Despite the concerning incident, Pacio walked away from the fight without any injuries.
Eduard Folayang, co-founder of Lions Nation MMA and a cornerman for Pacio, confirmed the fighter’s health status. “Joshua Pacio is clear in his CT scan results,” Folayang stated. He elaborated that the medical examinations revealed no fractures, brain damage, or neck injuries, expressing gratitude for Pacio’s safety and calling for prayers for his swift recovery.
The illegal maneuver executed by Brooks drew criticism from ONE Championship chairman Chatri Sityodtong, who voiced his disappointment during the post-fight press conference. “We have had thousands of fights. To have an illegal spike like that…I was very upset,” Sityodtong remarked, highlighting the rarity and severity of such actions in the sport.
The bout between Pacio and Brooks was a highly anticipated rematch, following their first encounter in December 2022 where Brooks won by unanimous decision. This rematch was part of ONE Championship’s inaugural event in Qatar, featuring three world title fights.
Pacio’s victory by disqualification and his subsequent injury-free status have captivated fans and followers of mixed martial arts, underscoring the unpredictable and intense nature of the sport. As Pacio celebrates his reclaimed title, the focus now turns to his recovery and future defenses of his strawweight championship.