The ultimate grudge match is about to take place on Friday, June 3 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Team Lakay’s Joshua Pacio is set to defend the ONE Strawweight World Championship against top contender Jarred Brooks in a match that is one year in the making.
The bout that will serve as the headliner for ONE 158 was first reported by Sports Illustrated.
Brooks, who is 19-2 in his career and 3-0 in ONE, has been fixated on dethroning Pacio since making his debut in the Singapore-based promotion back in November of 2021.
The grappler out of Mash Fight Team stomped Pacio’s teammate Lito Adiwang in his very first match in ONE before blazing through Hiroba Minowa and Bokang Masunyane to earn top contender status.
“Challenging for the title in the best organization in the world is a dream come true,” Brooks told SI.
“I’ve been thinking, sleeping, and breathing the fight game for my entire life and to win the belt would mean more than life itself.”
Pacio (20-3), meanwhile, knows that this bout will cement him as one of the greatest champions ONE has had.
During his second reign, the young gun out of Baguio City has defeated Yosuke Saruta twice, Alex Silva, and compatriot Rene Catalan.
This time though, Pacio knows that he is in for a challenge.
“I am the champion and ready to defend,” Pacio said. “I know Jarred will come as strong as he is, as ready as he is, but I’m going to use all the tools we’ve been working on.
“My team and I are set to remain champion.”
