ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio will be keeping a watchful eye open when #3-ranked Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks and #4-ranked Hiroba Minowa collide in ONE: ONLY THE BRAVE on January 28 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
The Filipino sees an intriguing battle between two strong grapplers, with Minowa known as a submission wrestler and Brooks being a power wrestler from the United States.
The 26-year-old believes this match could go either way.
“This match is going to be great. If you look at Brooks, he’s a wrestler, a very explosive one. And he’s not a one-dimensional wrestler. He can trade blows with you. He’s willing to exchange hands, and then he’ll change levels and use his bread and butter, which is his wrestling,” Pacio offered.
“Minowa, on the other hand, the last time I saw him, he was really dominant. He can take you down and control you there from start to finish.”
For the fighting pride of Baguio City, there are two major possibilities in this clash.
It’s either Brooks breaks Minowa early with his relentless pressure, or the Japanese man prolongs the battle and takes control because of his superior conditioning.
“I think if this reaches the third round, I’ll take Minowa,” he shared.
“I’m just looking at it from their last outing. If you look at their conditioning, I’d take Minowa. I think Brooks has an advantage early. He always comes out strong in the first round and the second round. But if this pushes past there, I’ll take Minowa.”
When asked who he expects to face next - the winner of this match or current top contender Bokang “Little Giant” Masunyane - Pacio didn’t reveal his preference. All he cares about is being prepared for either of them.
“We’ve been looking at them for a long time. Brooks, Minowa, Masunyane. We’ve been reviewing their strengths, their skills, their weaknesses,” the Team Lakay mainstay said.
“During training, I’m putting myself in a position where I’m competing against them, and I try to work on it. So, I’m not picking anyone. I’m ready for them.”
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