The longstanding rivalry between ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio and Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks has encountered another obstacle.
Pacio, the Filipino champion, has been sidelined by a torn right ACL, delaying their anticipated trilogy match. Alongside a cervicomuscular strain from a previous bout, this injury was revealed in Pacio's recent MRI, as reported by Nissi Icasiano.
Brooks immediately reacted to Pacio's injury, demanding to see proof of the injury. In response, Pacio disclosed that his knee had been bothering him even before their last encounter in March, revealing his determination despite the injury.
The 28-year-old champion is scheduled to undergo surgery in May, with the duration of his recovery yet to be determined. Recovery from ACL tears varies widely among athletes, with some returning after eight months, while others require over a year, as evidenced by Pacio's teammate Lito Adiwang's 18-month hiatus due to the same injury.
In the meantime, Brooks may consider pursuing other opportunities, such as challenging ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, creating a highly anticipated matchup between two dominant fighters in the lighter weight divisions.
Alternatively, a ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Title bout could be an option, especially with the No. 3-ranked Gustavo Balart eager to make his mark.
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