Joshua Pacio believes in Brooks' wrestling ahead of showdown with Musumeci
Published Jul 25, 2023 11:31 am
Many people expect ONE Strawweight World Champion Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks to come in as the heavy underdog when he enters the world of ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion Mikey “Darth Rigatoni” Musumeci, and for good reason.
*Joshua Pacio (left) and Jarred Brooks. (ONE Championship photo)*
Brooks and Musumeci battle for the ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Title at ONE Fight Night 13: Allazov vs. Grigorian inside Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, this August 5. Musumeci has long established himself as one of the most dangerous grapplers in the world, regardless of weight class. That puts Brooks at a disadvantage in this matchup. But Brooks’ old rival Joshua “The Passion” Pacio thinks “The Monkey God’s” wrestling shouldn’t be overlooked. “They’re competing under submission grappling, so we all know that this is Mikey’s playground. However, I have experienced firsthand how strong Jarred is,” Pacio said. “I know he can pin you down heavily, and he can submit people as well, based on his wins which comprises various submissions.” Pacio explained that while submission grappling is a different sport altogether from pure wrestling, the Michigan native isn’t resting on his laurels. In one of the conversations he had with his former foe in the U.S., Brooks told Pacio how he’s dedicated himself to improving his grappling. That’s why the Filipino believes in Brook’s chances of hanging with Musumeci on the ground. “I know Jarred isn’t stopping when it comes to working on his jiu-jitsu. He told me backstage that he’s going to different gyms and training with various people, so I think that’s where his confidence comes from,” he said. While he doesn’t want to predict a winner in this match, he expects Brooks to push the pace and pressure Musumeci from the get-go. “This will be very good,” Pacion said. “I see Jarred trying to pin Mikey early. I know Jarred’s pin is so heavy and strong. Of course, Mikey’s on a different level altogether when it comes to jiu-jitsu. He’ll take everything home with him if he can, so I really don’t want to give my prediction on this one. I think it’s a toss up.”
*Joshua Pacio (left) and Jarred Brooks. (ONE Championship photo)*
Brooks and Musumeci battle for the ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Title at ONE Fight Night 13: Allazov vs. Grigorian inside Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, this August 5. Musumeci has long established himself as one of the most dangerous grapplers in the world, regardless of weight class. That puts Brooks at a disadvantage in this matchup. But Brooks’ old rival Joshua “The Passion” Pacio thinks “The Monkey God’s” wrestling shouldn’t be overlooked. “They’re competing under submission grappling, so we all know that this is Mikey’s playground. However, I have experienced firsthand how strong Jarred is,” Pacio said. “I know he can pin you down heavily, and he can submit people as well, based on his wins which comprises various submissions.” Pacio explained that while submission grappling is a different sport altogether from pure wrestling, the Michigan native isn’t resting on his laurels. In one of the conversations he had with his former foe in the U.S., Brooks told Pacio how he’s dedicated himself to improving his grappling. That’s why the Filipino believes in Brook’s chances of hanging with Musumeci on the ground. “I know Jarred isn’t stopping when it comes to working on his jiu-jitsu. He told me backstage that he’s going to different gyms and training with various people, so I think that’s where his confidence comes from,” he said. While he doesn’t want to predict a winner in this match, he expects Brooks to push the pace and pressure Musumeci from the get-go. “This will be very good,” Pacion said. “I see Jarred trying to pin Mikey early. I know Jarred’s pin is so heavy and strong. Of course, Mikey’s on a different level altogether when it comes to jiu-jitsu. He’ll take everything home with him if he can, so I really don’t want to give my prediction on this one. I think it’s a toss up.”