Chatri Sityodtong Reveals Brooks vs. Pacio II Is in the Works for Early 2024

ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong has confirmed that the ONE Strawweight MMA World Title will be defended in early 2024. In an interview with the South China Morning Post, the ONE co-founder revealed that the battle for the prestigious belt will be a rematch between reigning king Jarred Brooks and the man he took the strap from, Joshua Pacio.

At ONE 164 in December 2022, Pacio lost the World Title to “The Monkey God” following a five-round war after his four-year strawweight reign. Since then, both men have competed in huge matches of their own in the world’s largest martial arts organization.

Chatri Sityodtong reveals Brooks vs. Paciao 2 set for early 2024

After winning the strawweight title, Brooks made a valiant attempt to challenge Mikey Musumeci for the ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Title at ONE Fight Night 13 last August. He was submitted by “Darth Rigatoni” in the 10-minute affair but impressed fans with his incredible effort and ability to hold up against one of the best grapplers on the planet today. 

Meanwhile, “The Passion” held off the previously undefeated Mansur Malachiev in an intense showdown at last month’s ONE Fight Night 15 to claim a crucial unanimous decision win and the right to challenge Brooks. And fans have been calling for a rematch between the two for a long time. And the ONE CEO has finally revealed the details.

“I’m not supposed to say this because it’s not been confirmed. But Jarred Brooks versus Joshua Pacio II is happening early next year,” Sityodtong said in the interview. “I was just in a matchmaking meeting, and they were going through a bunch of different matchups, but that’s happening, and it’s going to get announced very soon,” the ONE CEO added. And both men seem ready to face each other once again as evidenced from their recent social media interactions.

Brooks and Pacio’s social media exchange fuels excitement for the bout

The two strawweight superstars have been going back and forth on social media recently, with the divisional king calling out the man who has offered him his most significant challenge in ONE to date. “Joshua Pacio, I am more than willing and ready to fight you in a month, two months, it doesn’t matter,” Brooks said in a recent Instagram video. “But there’s that timeline for you, bro. I hope you’re ready. Let’s go. Come for me? I’m coming for you, baby,” he added.

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‘The Monkey God’ later claimed he would score a second-round finish when he clashed with Pacio once again. The former titleholder, who has been waiting for some time to reclaim the coveted strawweight MMA crown, heard his rival’s call and didn’t take it lightly, as he responded with heated words of his own. “Your prediction is wrong, man. I promise in my next outing, I’ll be more impressive,” Pacio told SCMP. Who do you think will emerge victorious in their bout?

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