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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Joshua Pacio expects "fascinating" clash of wrestling styles in Brooks-Balart Battle

Joshua Pacio expects "fascinating" clash of wrestling styles in Brooks-Balart Battle

Published Jul 15, 2024 09:06 am

At A Glance

  • As Pacio heals up from a torn ACL, he'll keep a close eye on the action when former divisional king Jarred "The Monkey God" Brooks and ranked No. 3 contender Gustavo "El Gladiador" Balart collide at ONE Fight Night 24 on August 3 inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. 

ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio is excited to see which style of wrestling will prevail when two of the best grapplers in his division collide for the ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Title. 

As Pacio heals up from a torn ACL, he’ll keep a close eye on the action when former divisional king Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks and ranked No. 3 contender Gustavo “El Gladiador” Balart collide at ONE Fight Night 24 on August 3 inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. 

Brooks’ strong American style of wrestling has served everyone in the division problems, with his unstoppable double-leg takedowns and slams being his bread and butter. 

Balart, on the other hand, brings an Olympic-level Greco-Roman wrestling pedigree to this clash, with his work in the clinch and throws something to watch out for. 

"As a fan of the sport, this is a fascinating matchup,” Pacio said. 

“You have two elite wrestlers with distinct styles that have proven successful in their careers. This fight raises many questions given their backgrounds. It's truly mind-boggling. May the best man win." 

If Pacio’s to be asked, he hopes that the best man turns out to be Brooks on that night. 

As weird as it sounds, Pacio will be rooting for his bitter rival because he has a score to settle with the vocal American. 

The Filipino beat Brooks, though it came with a controversial twist after the American was disqualified less than a minute into their rematch after inadvertently spiking Pacio’s head to the canvas – a move banned under ONE Championship’s rule set. 

Wanting to prove that he can beat his old foe fair and square, Pacio hopes to see Brooks’ hand raised after the latter’s bout with Balart. 

"I can see where this is heading, so I'll be straightforward. I have unfinished business with Jarred Brooks, and I intend to settle it in the future,” Pacio said. 

But if Balart somehow crashes the party, then Pacio has no qualms facing him as well. 

“If Gustavo Balart rises to the occasion,” Pacion added, “he's more than welcome."

Related Tags

Jarred Brooks Joshua Pacio ONE Championship
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