Jarred Brooks will finally have his shot at redemption on Thursday, February 20, at ONE 171: Qatar. After being disqualified for spiking Joshua Pacio in ONE Championship‘s debut in Qatar last year, the two will run it back to unify the titles. The main event collision will determine who is the undisputed ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion.
“I think that this is a huge opportunity for me to bounce back and to show people I am a true champion and one of the best mixed martial artists in ONE Championship, if not any promotion in the world,” Jared Brooks stated to ONE.
Jarred Brooks Fighting for His Family at ONE 171 Thursday Night
After their prior meeting, Jarred Brooks captured the ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Title by swiftly defeating Gustavo Balart. The American has been unparalleled in the strawweight division and is looking to prove it once again. However, his motivation extends beyond the gold and to building a comfortable life for his wife and child.
“People are excited to watch this trilogy bout and see who can bury the other person once and for all. I think that Joshua is an amazing person, an amazing mixed martial artist. He’s had his championship run. But my wife and my family are way too important for me to not go out there and give it my all and be the best me that I can possibly be. I think that I am capable of doing that on February 20,” Jarred Brooks admitted.
Jarred Brooks Ready to Win Inside the Distance
Brooks has said he has evolved his game with improved transitions and better striking. Still, he does not want to get into a firefight against “The Passion” to prove it. He wants to end the match as quickly as possible.
Although that is his goal, Jarred Brooks is prepared to go all five rounds if necessary. He is not taking Pacio lightly after coming off an extended layoff. He expects the Filipino to be at his very best on February 20.
The redemption clash we’ll never forget 🥊 How will Joshua Pacio vs. Jarred Brooks III end at ONE 171: Qatar? 🇶🇦 @The_monkeygod @VisitQatar @QatarCalendar
#ONE171 #VisitQatar | February 20 5PM AST
🎟️ Tickets 👉 https://t.co/dCTasAOzBx pic.twitter.com/Lqj67TuBt9— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) January 28, 2025
“My goal is to get the finish very early. I don’t want to sit in there for too long. Everybody’s dangerous that I fight now, so I want to get him out of there quick and clean. But if not, I do want to show my diversity in changing styles rapidly, and I think that I can do that at a good pace, as well, to where it can make somebody think. And it can make somebody not believe in themselves and their styles as much as they think they do,” the interim titleholder remarked.
Examining the Jarred Brooks vs. Joshua Pacio Rivalry Ahead of Trilogy Bout
The rivalry between Jarred Brooks and Joshua Pacio began with heated words but has developed into a respectful adversarial relationship. For “The Monkey God,” the talking is all but over. The only thing left to prove happens inside the Circle.
“I think that Joshua has been training hard coming off of an ACL surgery. He’s doing the things that he’s supposed to do as the champion that he is, and I’m doing the things that I’m supposed to do as the champion that I am. The trash talk, all of that, that’s all in the past. There’s no need for trash talk,” the strawweight great commented.
The trilogy will leave both men linked to one another. It is that story that Jarred Brooks believes makes this an engaging contest outside of the stylistic matchup. With all the respect between the two, they will still throw caution to the wind to secure ultimate glory and walk out as the undisputed ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion.
“When you go in there, you’re sharing an energy that is sacred. Through that, Josh and I are like brothers. At the same time, when it comes down to livelihood, when it comes down to your career, when it comes down to the things that matter the most, are we willing to kill each other for that? Yeah. I think that’s what makes this bout so interesting. We do have a little camaraderie, but at the same time, we’re looking to take each other’s heads off, and I think that that’s a very special thing that a lot of mixed martial arts fans don’t get to see,” Brooks said.
ONE 171: Qatar airs live on Thursday, February 20, from the Lusail Sports Arena. The action begins at 10 a.m. EST/7 a.m. PST. The event is free via ONE’s official YouTube channel.
