Joshua Pacio admits being not mentally prepared in first Brooks fight, confident in rematch

Joshua Pacio admitted that he was not mentally prepared to face Jarred Brooks when he lost his ONE strawweight world title against the latter in December 2022 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Without dropping details, Pacio said that outside-the-cage factors contributed to his defeat against Brooks in their first meeting in home territory.

“My approach is just to enjoy the process. In our first fight, my mind was not there and there was no pressure. Now I am happy with the atmosphere in the gym and I enjoy all our training sessions,” Pacio revealed.

“What was happening in my surroundings [did not help]. Even if I was one hundred percent ready physically, mentally is just as important. Right now physically, mentally, and spiritually I am one hundred percent ready.”

A few months after losing his world title, Pacio parted ways with Team Lakay along with former world champions Eduard Folayang, Kevin Belingon, and Honorio Banario to co-found a new team Lions Nation MMA.

Now completely focused and fully prepared against the brash American with the help of his team’s grappling coaches, Pacio is confident of regaining his title when he meets Brooks one more time at ONE 166 in Qatar.

“I know he cannot take me down on the side of the cage. If he can take me down, I am ready in any scenario in whatever he does. There is excitement. My prediction, either by knockout or unanimous decision,” Pacio stated.