Joshua Pacio marvels at how far ONE Championship's strawweight division has come

ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio has no choice but to focus on his recovery if he wants to get back on the saddle as soon as possible. 

 

But for now, he’s forced to watch his division move ahead.

 

His bitter rival Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks and no. 3-ranked contender Gustavo “El Gladiador” Balart will battle for the ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Title at ONE Fight Night 24 on August 3 inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. 

 

Pacio can’t help but feel left out with all the action happening around him, but he understands that for now, it’s the longevity of his career that matters.

 

"You know how much I want to be back in there competing, but my physical condition prevents me from doing so,” he said. 

 

“It is what it is. The division needs to move forward and determine the next contender, or in this case, the next interim champion."

 

For Pacio, this clash between Brooks and Balart is a testament to just how far his division has grown. 

 

The Filipino has been on top of, or near the top of, the division since he debuted in 2016, but he’s never seen this much talent in his near decade-long run with ONE Championship. 

 

Aside from the protagonists at ONE Fight Night 23, ranked guys like no. 2 Bokang Masunyane, no. 4 Hiroba Minowa, and no. 5 Mansur Malachiev are all raring to separate themselves from the pack and get a shot of gold. 

 

Of course, he can’t forget the rejuvenated Keito Yamakita and Pacio’s good friend Lito Adiwang, who has won his last three fights since returning from an injury. 

 

"What I love about our division is that there's never a shortage of real title contenders,” he said. 

 

“This will be evident in the upcoming matchup between Jarred Brooks and Gustavo Balart, where the top contender faces the next in line."

 

Asked about who he expects to face in his return, Pacio is leaning toward Brooks – but he wouldn’t mind a surprise either. 

 

"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. 

 

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