ONE Championship strawweight world champion Joshua Pacio said he is the one coming for American Jarred Brooks, the top contender for the world title.
This as the 24-year-old Pacio showed no fear in facing Brooks who just eliminated Bokang Munsayane for the world championship bout with a rear-naked choke submission of the South African fighter in Singapore on April 22.
As soon as Brooks saw an opportunity, he immediately went on for a submission attempt by taking Munsayane’s back from the standing position.
Brooks patiently broke down the defense while dropping punches onto the side of Masunyane’s head and occasionally sprinkling in body shots.
With less than a minute to go, Munsayane looked like he would survive the opening round.
But Brooks turned on the heat, switched to his right hand, and squeezed the neck to attempt another rear-naked choke.
Before long, Munsayane finally gave in and dropped to the canvas, where he was choked unconscious at the 4:39 mark of round one.
As soon as the referee stopped the bout, Brooks faced the camera and taunted Pacio that he is coming for the belt.
“Joshua Pacio, I’m coming for you, man. I know I have said it twice, but third time’s the charm. And I swear I am taking that belt home to the United States. I promise you,” Brooks said in a post-fight interview.
The 28-year-old Brooks has improved his professional mixed martial arts record to 19 wins against two losses. He has swept the strawweight division by storm by eliminating all top contenders, including Lito Adiwang of Team Lakay.
Despite being taunted in many occasions by the American, Pacio maintained his cool, as he even extended his congra-tulations to the victor and now, top contender for the championship bout.
“Congratulations to the Monkey God (Brooks’ moniker) for winning the spot. Awesome performance. I’ll see you soon,” Pacio wrote on his official Facebook account. – Harley F. Palangchao
