Joshua “The Passion” Pacio has no other plan for the holidays aside from training his hardest to once again reclaim his ONE Strawweight MMA World Championship.
“There will be no Christmas or New Year for me. I want to make sure that I come into camp laser-focused. I want to get that belt again,” he said.
Pacio has every reason to maintain that game face after his rematch versus Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks was booked for ONE 166: Qatar on 1 March at the Lusail Sports Arena.
And to him, there’s no other way for redemption than brandishing the best version of himself.
“I know that I’m gonna be more focused this time around. I have this team to collaborate, and brainstorm with, that I can truly say and suggest certain routines with what I need for this next fight,” he said.
The Lions Nation MMA standout is determined to showcase an improved arsenal, one that he gave a glimpse in his unanimous decision victory over Mansur Malachiev at ONE Fight Night 15: Le vs. Freymanov.
But Pacio argued that it is just the tip of the iceberg considering that he still had to make adjustments given the recent changes in his career, particularly him being in a new camp after all of his years in Team Lakay.
“Going up to that fight, I had a lot of things going on in my mind. I was telling you guys, ‘I am focused,’ but leading up to that fight, it was really tough to focus, especially with what happened behind the scenes,” he said.
Those ghosts are behind him now, and Pacio is looking ahead to a brighter 2024, hopefully with the strap once again on his shoulders.
“I’m more focused and I’m just so excited entering 2024,” he said.
