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Tom Taylor

Nicolas Atkin

Jarred Brooks is now the ONE Championship strawweight MMA king.
The American “Monkey God” won the title with a unanimous decision win over long-reigning Filipino champion Joshua Pacio in the main event of Saturday’s ONE 164 event in the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila.
It was an extremely impressive performance, as he not only out-grappled the champion, but out-struck him on the feet.
In the co-main event, Superlek Kiatmoo9 defeated his fellow Thai Panpayak Jitmuangnon by split-decision.
The fight was supposed to crown ONE’s flyweight Muay Thai grand prix champion, but the bout was stripped of those stakes after both men missed weight on Friday.
Earlier on the card, former heavyweight champion Brandon Vera, an American of Filipino heritage, suffered a tough first-round TKO loss to Amir Aliakbari, and announced his retirement after the fact.
Get caught up on all the action as it happened below.


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ONE Championship

ONE Championship 164: Jarred Brooks out-strikes Joshua Pacio to take strawweight MMA title

Jarred Brooks celebrates after winning the strawweight title. Photo: ONE Championship

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts


‘The Monkey God’ secures an impressive unanimous-decision victory over Pacio in the ONE 164 main event in Manila
Earlier on the card, former heavyweight champion Brandon Vera retires after a first-round TKO loss to Amir Aliakbari



Jarred Brooks swipes strawweight MMA title from Joshua Pacio in main event of ONE Championship 164 in Manila, with Brandon Vera retiring after TKO loss.


Live

ONE 164 will begin at 7:00pm local time, starting with a catchweight fight between hometown hero Jenelyn Olsim and China’s Meng Bo, who missed weight for what was supposed to be a strawweight fight.
It is a match-up that could have major implications for the strawweight title picture.
Check back here soon to see how it goes!


We kick things off at 7:00pm

We’re five minutes out from the start of ONE 164 in Manila, and the host Mall of Asia Arena is already filling up with Filipino fans.
They are all hoping Joshua Pacio defends his strawweight MMA belt in a few hours time, but the champion’s American challenger Jarred Brooks will have other plans.


Less than five minutes out!

After watching Reinier de Ridder get stretchered out of Manila’s Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday morning, ONE Championship boss Chatri Sityodtong admitted his beating at the hands of Anatoly Malykhin was “the kind of knockout that changes fighters”.
De Ridder was dropped late in the first round by a check right hook from the Russian, who followed up with four vicious hammer fists on the ground to snatch the ONE light heavyweight MMA title in emphatic fashion.
De Ridder was helped by medical officials in the ONE Circle, but tried to get up instead of getting onto the stretcher.
Read out full report below.
ONE: Chatri says RDR suffered ‘kind of KO that changes fighters’


RDR suffered ‘kind of KO that changes fighters’

Meng Bo and Jenelyn Olsim are about to get it started in Manila. They will meet at a 130.75-pound catchweight after China’s Meng missed the 125-pound strawweight limit at Friday’s weigh in.
The Chinese fighter will be looking to rebound from losses to Ritu Phogat and Tiffany Teo, while Olsim will look to build on a decision win over Julie Mezabarba in front of her loyal Filipino fans.
They’re both in the Circle, so let’s get to it. They have three five-rounds.


Meng and Olsim kick things off

Unfortunately for the Filipino fans in the building, who were loud in their support of Olsim from the opening bell, this one didn’t last long for their fighter.
Meng, who is known for her boxing, floored her foe with a crackling right hand early in the first round, and finished her off with a series of elbows on the ground – all it took was 24 seconds.
“Because of the training I had, this was a natural response for me,” she said of the ground strikes that ended it.

Meng Bo 🇨🇳 STOPS Jenelyn Olsim in 24 SECONDS in the opening bout of ONE 164! ⚡#ONE164
🇺🇸🇨🇦🇹🇭🇬🇧🇸🇦🇧🇷 Live on ONE YouTube⁠
🌍 Live on https://t.co/eBUfsODAFL pic.twitter.com/EevGHkKuoI
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) December 3, 2022



Meng scores quick KO

Next up is the first of three Muay Thai bouts on tonight’s card, as Spain’s Lara Fernandez takes on Thailand’s Dangkongfah Banchamek at atomweight.
Both women lost their last fights. Fernandez came up short by decision against Janet Todd in a fight for the vacant interim atomweight Muay Thai title, while her Thai rival lost a decision to top contender Anissa Meksen.


Muay Thai action up next

Fernandez and Dangkongfah are off to a quick start. They trade kicks and punches in the centre of the Circle, and tie-up against the cage until the referee breaks them apart.
Dangkongfah is pressing the action now, but Fernandez is really letting her have it on the way in, shooting straight punches down the middle. Dangkongfah responds with low kicks, but the punches keep coming from the Spanish fighter, who is now attacking the body too.
They swing like crazy for the entire round. If this is the way things keep going, the judges are going to have a tough job on their hands.


First round firefight

Round two is underway, and Fernandez and Dangkongfah are right back to swinging like crazy. There may not be a Filipino in the Circle for this fight, but the crowd is loving it.
They tie up briefly, and break. Dangkongfah is really let the low kicks fly, but Fernandez is using her reach advantage with great success. They tie up again and swap knees against the cage, then break.
The kicks are working well for Dangkongfah. More punches from Fernandez, and some kicks behind them, but the Thai is blocking things pretty effectively. Another fun and close round.
One more round.

Dangkongfah ate it like Rodtang 😤#ONE164
🇺🇸🇨🇦🇹🇭🇬🇧🇸🇦🇧🇷 Live on ONE YouTube⁠
🌍 Live on https://t.co/eBUfsODAFL pic.twitter.com/P3gD1kiz6K
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) December 3, 2022



Another fun round

One more round of this fight, and given the way the first two have unfolded, nobody is complaining. This has been fun.
Dangkongfah gets back to her kicks. Fernandez is returning fire with kicks of her own. They tie up briefly until the ref breaks them up.
The Thai is using push kicks to try to keep her Spanish foe at distance, but Fernandez is still finding a way to land, mostly with her punches. They clinch, then break, and Fernandez lands a punch to the body, then a kick, then another punch.
Fernandez throws a spinning attack, but misses. They clinch and break again. 30 seconds left and they trade low kicks. Fernandez pushes forward and bullies her foe against the cage to end the fight.
It’s really hard to say how this will be scored. We’ll find out in moments.


Three close rounds in the books

We’ve got a split decision on our hands – no surprise there – and it ultimately goes to Spain’s Fernandez.
“I’m so happy right now because my opponent is so tough,” Fernandez says in her post-fight interview. “Thank you everyone.”
She leaves the cage to some well-deserved applause from the fans in the arena.



Fernandez nabs split decision

We’ve got more Muay Thai up next, as Tagir Khalilov of Russia takes on Chorfah To.Sangtiennoi from Thailand at flyweight.
Khalilov is winless in his first two ONE fights, while Chorfah is making his debut with some solid hype.
They have three three-minute rounds to work with. Here we go.


More Muay Thai on tap

Chorfah is aggressive right out out the gate, hitting his foe with some big shots in the opening seconds. The clinch, trade some knees and uppercuts, and referee Olivier Coste breaks them apart.
Chorfah keeps the pressure on, and hammers his Russian foe with a kick to the body. Khalilov is eating some big shots, but he’s firing back with some nasty stuff of his own. These two are following in the footsteps of Lara Fernandez and Dangkongfah before them – this is a lot of fun.

Tagir Khalilov 🇷🇺 CLATTERS Chorfah Tor.Sangtiennoi to score his first win in ONE! 💥#ONE164
🇺🇸🇨🇦🇹🇭🇬🇧🇸🇦🇧🇷 Live on ONE YouTube⁠
🌍 Live on https://t.co/eBUfsODAFL pic.twitter.com/FPhPmjFArn
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) December 3, 2022

Less than a minute left and both guys are throwing hard – then Khalilov lands the one that matters. He drops the Thai with an uppercut and clobbers him with a kick before he hits the mat.
The ref has seen enough, and this one is over at 2:29 of round one. Khalilov gets a big hug from new light heavyweight MMA champ Anatoly Malykhin, who won the belt at this morning’s ONE on Prime Video 5 card.


Brutal TKO for Tagir

As expected, Khalilov’s brutal TKO win gets him a bonus from ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong – US $50,000 in the bank.
“Mr. Chatri, thank you so much for this opportunity,” the Russian says. “I will show more beautiful fights and more beautiful knockouts.”



Tagir scores a bonus

Next up is Team Lakay’s Jhanlo Sangiao – son of Coach Mark – up against ONE Warrior Series Philippines runner-up L.A. Lauron.
Lauron missed weight by 6.5 pounds for their 150lbs catchweight bout, having taken it on a few days’ notice.
But Jhanlo declined to take any of his fight pure, and agreed to a new catchweight.


All-Filipino fight

Jhanlo Mark Sangiao makes quick work of LA Lauron, who came flying out of the gate with a flying knee.
But Sangiao kept his cool and eventually took the newcomer’s back, sinking in the hooks and getting the tap.
He’s then awarded a US$50,000 performance bonus by Chatri, and the Mall of Asia Arena goes nuts.

Jhanlo Mark Sangiao 🇵🇭 moves to 5-0 and wins a US$50K bonus for his first-round submission of Anacleto Lauron! 💰#ONE164
🇺🇸🇨🇦🇹🇭🇬🇧🇸🇦🇧🇷 Live on ONE YouTube⁠
🌍 Live on https://t.co/eBUfsODAFL pic.twitter.com/GiEfzdIxCz
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) December 3, 2022



Jhanlo gets quick sub, US$50k bonus

The lead card is over, so it’s time for the main card.
We’ll kick things off with a bantamweight MMA contest between two Filipinos:Drex Zamboanga, and his friend Adonis Sevilleno.
Zamboanga, brother to atomweight contender Denice Zamboanga, is on a three-fight streak, and has far more experience than his countryman Sevilleno, who is making his ONE debut after winning a contract on the ‘Warrior Series’ reality show.
Still, this should be a good one.


Filipino bantamweights kick off main card

The two friends trade some punches in the centre of the Circle, then the newcomer Sevilleno scores a takedown against the cage – a strong start for a guy at a big experience disadvantage.
They return to the feet, fight for position against the cage, and Zamboanga briefly takes his foe’s back. They pop back up, but Sevilleno scores two more takedowns back to back. Now he’s taking Zamboanga’s back and he’s chasing a rear-naked choke. Zamboanga slips out. The crowd is going wild.
With 30 seconds left, they’re back on the feet, and both guys land. The round ends with another tie-up against the cage.

VICIOUS knee from Adonis Sevilleno! 🦵#ONE164
🇺🇸🇨🇦🇹🇭🇬🇧🇸🇦🇧🇷 Live on ONE YouTube⁠
🌍 Live on https://t.co/eBUfsODAFL pic.twitter.com/RArnru9TDT
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) December 3, 2022



Newcomer starts strong

They are swinging to start round two, but Sevilleno quickly goes back to his wrestling. Just when he is starting to look like the superior grappler, Zamboanga scores a takedown of his own, and uses it to rack up several minutes of control time.
He lands some nice strikes from top position, climbs into full mount, then takes his foe’s back with a minute to go, and briefly threatens with a choke.
Finally, Sevilleno pops back up, and they exchange some nice punches to close the round. The crowd is enjoying this one.


Zamboanga surges back

Round three starts with some big shots from Sevilleno, and he follows them up with a takedown, but Zamboanga pops back up. He looks for a takedown of his own, but it’s denied.
Now it’s Sevilleno looking for the takedown again, which is also denied. These two are very evenly matched.
With just over two minutes on the clock, Zamboanga scores the first takedown of the round – a big moment in a fight this close. Sevilleno is trying to get up but Zamboanga won’t let him.
The round ends, and he still in top position, raining down elbows.


Zamboanga digs deep

Zamboanga gets the unanimous-decision win – a nice moment after his sister Denice beat Lin Heqin by decision at ONE on Prime Video 5 this morning.
That’s four in a row for Zamboanga, who looks like he could become a contender in this weight class.



Decision win for Zamboanga

“The Dragon Leg” Tial Thang – protege of Aung La N Sang – is next up against Team Lakay’s Jeremy Pacatiw.
Lakay have had a bit of a rough day so far, going 1-3.
Pacatiw will have the whole Mall of Asia Arena behind him, and it’s certainly packed out.


Bantamweights next up

This is a fun fight, and the crowd seems to agree.
Pacatiw and Thang are throwing down with reckless abandon, and it’s hard to call that first round.
The Filipino probably winning the fight so far, but the Burmese has had his moments.

"The Juggernaut" UNLOADS on Tial Thang! 🔥#ONE164
🇺🇸🇨🇦🇹🇭🇬🇧🇸🇦🇧🇷 Live on ONE YouTube⁠
🌍 Live on https://t.co/eBUfsODAFL pic.twitter.com/82fp1soH2v
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) December 3, 2022



Slugfest unfolding

The second round starts as ferociously as the first, with the two going at it against the fence.
Thang then grabs a leg and tries to get the takedown, but Pacatiw gets free and takes him down instead, pulling guard and locking up the triangle.
Thang fights it as long as he can but eventually taps. Pacatiw gets Team Lakay’s second win of the day. They’re now 2-3.

Jeremy Pacatiw 🇵🇭 submits Tial Thang via triangle choke to win an INSANE battle!#ONE164
🇺🇸🇨🇦🇹🇭🇬🇧🇸🇦🇧🇷 Live on ONE YouTube⁠
🌍 Live on https://t.co/eBUfsOmxDL pic.twitter.com/pdlDFZULPO
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) December 3, 2022



Pacatiw gets second-round sub

Now it’s Geje Eustaquio’s turn to ignite the Mall of Asia Arena.
The former flyweight champ is up against China’s Hu Yong, looking to stake his claim for another crack at the title – and a dream match with Demetrious Johnson.


Lakay back in action

Geje having to weather a storm here in the first round. Hu Yong comes out swinging hard and drops him early on.
He recovers, and goes to his grappling, but the Chinese fighter is slick enough to escape.
Hu is having more success on the feet, with Eustaquio looking wobbly. And then Hu absolutely clobbers him with an overhand right, and it’s all over. First-round KO.

Hu Yong 🇨🇳 drops a BOMB on former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje Eustaquio in Round 1! 💣#ONE164
🇺🇸🇨🇦🇹🇭🇬🇧🇸🇦🇧🇷 Live on ONE YouTube⁠
🌍 Live on https://t.co/eBUfsODAFL pic.twitter.com/Ob9cQseZ9R
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) December 3, 2022



Hu clobbers Geje for 1st-round KO

Up next is a titanic heavyweight MMA clash between Iranian wrestler Amir Aliakbari, and Filipino-American striker Brandon Vera, the division’s former champion.
Aliakbari will be looking to build on the momentum of a lopsided win over Mauro Cerilli – his first W in the ONE Circle after a pair of losses. Vera will be looking to bounce back from the TKO loss to Arjan Bhullar that ended his championship title reign.
Both guys have serious stopping power, so now is not the time for a bathroom break.


Heavyweights head to the Circle

Brandon Vera gets one of the biggest pops of the day on his walk to the cage. Maybe even the biggest outright. One way or the other, they love him in Manila – but he’s got a very tough fight on his hands, and it’s about to get underway.
It’s tense right out of the gate – it always is when heavyweights fight. Both men are being careful, but a minute in, it’s Vera who has landed more strikes. He also denied Aliakbari’s first takedown attempt, which is huge.

Amir Aliakbari 🇮🇷 picks up the biggest win of his career with a TKO finish over former ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon Vera!#ONE164
🇺🇸🇨🇦🇹🇭🇬🇧🇸🇦🇧🇷 Live on ONE YouTube⁠
🌍 Live on https://t.co/eBUfsODAFL pic.twitter.com/4ODlyBpoiG
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) December 3, 2022

The Aliakbari’s second takedown attempt though, is good, and it ends in disaster for Vera. The Iranian hammers his foe with sound ground strikes, and when Vera turtles up, he piles it on.
Referee Herb Dean has seen enough, and waves this one off.


Aliakbari smashes Vera in 1

Amir Aliakbari is announced the winner by TKO, and he takes centre stage for his post-fight interview with Mitch Chilson. As he does, Vera begins removing his gloves, and we all know what that means. He is retiring.
“I’m going to dedicate this to the people of Iran,” Aliakbari tells Chilson. “I’m going to do this to all the fighters.”
Now it’s time for Vera’s big announcement. He and Aliakbari share a bow of respect, and he joins commentator Mitch Chilson to make it official.

Congrats to Brandon "The Truth" Vera 🇺🇸🇵🇭 on a LEGENDARY career! 👑 @Verafied#ONE164
🇺🇸🇨🇦🇹🇭🇬🇧🇸🇦🇧🇷 Live on ONE YouTube⁠
🌍 Live on https://t.co/eBUfsODAFL pic.twitter.com/uBXy511Evp
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) December 3, 2022

“You just witnessed ‘The Truth’s’ very last fight in MMA,” he says to a roar from the crowd. “I wish I could have gone out on a win.
“I love you all! Thank you for everything you’ve given me.”
The former heavyweight champion bows, places his gloves on the canvas, and walks out of the Circle for a final time with tears in his eyes and Vera chants echoing through the Mall of Asia Arena.


Vera announces retirement

We’ve reached the co-main event: a flyweight clash between Thais Superlek Kiatm009 and Panpayak Jitmuangnon.
These two were supposed to be fighting for the flyweight Muay Thai grand prix championship, but when they both missed weight on Friday, that plan went down the drain.
Thankfully, the fight is still going ahead, because it should be a good one. These are two of the best Muay Thai fighters on earth, and they have fought a ridiculous eight times before, so they know each other well.


Muay Thai co-headliner on deck

The first of three three-minute rounds of Muay Thai has begun.
After a bit of a slow start, they start letting their weapons fly, and Panpayak lands a few nice shots. Superlek fires back with a slick jump-in leg kick, and Panpayak lands some more.
With 30 seconds left, they tie up, then referee Olivier Coste separates them. They share a hug as the round ends. Tough one to score.


Close first round

They call Superlek “The Kicking Machine” and in round two, he reminds us why by landing a couple of crackling kicks at various altitudes. But Panpayak eats them all without issue, and fires with some kicks and punches of his own.
With about a minute left Panpayak plows forward with punches and they tie up. They’re quickly separated and its back trading kicks in the centre of the Circle.

Superlek enters THE MATRIX! 😎#ONE164
🇺🇸🇨🇦🇹🇭🇬🇧🇸🇦🇧🇷 Live on ONE YouTube⁠
🌍 Live on https://t.co/eBUfsODAFL pic.twitter.com/uuFMehgwzR
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) December 3, 2022

With 30 seconds left, the crowd is seemingly getting a bit agitated. This is a very technical fight, but certainly a change of pace from the heavyweight MMA bout we just watched.
Round three ends, and it’s another close one. The judges are in for a tough decision if this goes the distance.


Trading kicks in round two

The final round is under way now, and Panpayak gets going with a nice elbow in close. But Superlek, who has proven very hard to stop, eats it like a snack, and fires back with more kicks. Their pace slows, and the referee warns them both to get to work.
With just over a minute left, Panpayak lands one of the better strikes of the fight – a rangy left hand that pops Superlek’s head back. Superlek throws another kick and Panpayak shows his mouth guard with a big smile. The inside of his thigh is purple from his foe’s kicks, but he seems to be having fun.
The round ends without a finish, so it’s off to the scorecards.


Another close round

The judges are split on this one, which is not surprising, but in the end they give it to Superlek – probably on the strength of his kicks throughout the fight.
“I knew he would be coming forward to me, and that’s what I prepared for.”
“His lead leg is his right leg, so I aimed for that leg.”
Interestingly, Superlek’s next fight was actually booked before this one ended. He’ll fight Ilias Ennahachi for the flyweight kickboxing belt at ONE on Prime Video 6 in Bangkok this coming January.



Superlek gets split nod

“The Monkey God” Jarred Brooks is in the Circle.
The strawweight MMA champ Joshua Pacio is on his way.
Let’s do this, Manila.


Main event time

Round one of this long anticipated title fight has officially begun, and the crowd is making no secret of the man they’re supporting.
The two strawweights touch gloves, and Brooks presses forward. He misses on a head kick, and scores his first takedown of the fight in less than 30 seconds. The crowd is cheering Pacio on, but this is a bad place for him to be.
Brooks is firing off some nasty ground-and-pound, but Pacio is throwing back from bottom position. Pacio nearly escapes the bottom, and threatens with a guillotine choke that drives the crowd into a frenzy, but it’s no good. Brooks is back on him, and stays there, raining down ground strikes for the remainder of the round – though he ate an up-kick in the final seconds.
A lopsided round for the challenger.

"The Monkey God" ATE that upkick from Joshua Pacio! 😬 @The_monkeygod#ONE164
🇺🇸🇨🇦🇹🇭🇬🇧🇸🇦🇧🇷 Live on ONE YouTube⁠
🌍 Live on https://t.co/eBUfsODAFL pic.twitter.com/8S57OpyyST
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) December 3, 2022



Brooks starts strong

Pacio nearly blasts Brooks with a back-fist to start round two, but the challenger avoids it, and goes right back to his wrestling attack. It’s not easy, but Pacio thwarts the first takedown of the round – a nice morale boost if nothing else. Then he lands a punch as Brooks comes in, and a snapping leg kick. Both impacts get huge reactions from the crowd.
They trade body kicks in the centre, but neither winces. Brooks lets loose some spinning strikes of his own – normally Pacio’s specialty – but nothing lands.
Brooks goes for another takedown, but Pacio again fights it off. With a minute left, things are starting look a little better for the champ.
Brooks is really keeping his distance on the feet, but they are both throwing hard when they come together.
Pacio denies another takedown, eats a punch from Books, and the round ends.


Pacio fights back in two

Brooks dives in for another takedown to start the third, and Pacio again denies it. When they brake, he throws a right hand to the body. Brooks returns fire with a nice punch that lands, then another – for a wrestler, he’s having some good success on the feet.
They exchange again, and they both land, then Brooks whiffs on a head kick. The ref calls for action, and they throw kicks simultaneously. Pacio follows up with a leg kick, and Brooks with a few punches. Brooks is putting combos together better, whereas Pacio seems to be looking for a one-shot finish.
With a minute left, they both throw some huge punches, but neither man hits the deck. The crowd cheers their champion on. Pacio throws a body kick, and Brooks answers with two punches that land.
Another close round in the books. Onto the fourth.


Brooks starting to land...

They swing in close to start the fourth round. Pacio throws a leg kick then narrowly avoids a head kick. They come together again and exchange punches. Brooks moves in again, and lands a nice punch, then a few more. He is out-striking the striker. It’s a twist nobody expected – but Pacio is still in this.
Brooks shoots for a takedown, but Pacio is wise to it. The challenger is skirting the edge of the cage, picking his shots, and when Pacio isn’t expecting it, dives in for another takedown, and winds up on Pacio’s back with a body triangle locked in. He force-feeds the champ some huge punches from back mount.
Brooks is attacking a choke, and it looks deep, but Pacio gives a thumbs up, and survives on toughness and guts. The crowd lets him know they love it, and the round ends.

It's all good 👍 @The_monkeygod#ONE164
🇺🇸🇨🇦🇹🇭🇬🇧🇸🇦🇧🇷 Live on ONE YouTube⁠
🌍 Live on https://t.co/eBUfsOmxDL pic.twitter.com/drlHGuQljh
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) December 3, 2022



Brooks running away with it

Pacio seemingly has one round left to retain his title. He needs to make some magic happen in Manila. He throws a few spinning attacks, but they all miss.
The champion charges in for some punches. He needs to throw everything has, but he risks being taken down if he gets too aggressive – a classic conundrum against wrestlers like Brooks.
Pacio lands a spinning kick to the body, and Brooks responds with a punch. Three minutes left. Brooks charges in and lands with two crisp punches, but it looks like Pacio got him back with one.
They collide again, and Brooks once again comes out on top in the exchange. Brooks lands more punches, and with a little over a minute left, scores a takedown that should steal the fight. Pacio tries a guillotine but it’s no good, he has no leverage.
30 seconds left. Pacio needs a miracle, but Brooks is all over him. The challenger rides out the round in top position, as Joshua’s Team Lakay stablemates look on, seemingly sensing what’s about to happen.
Over to the judges.


Brooks finishes strong

No surprises tonight.
It’s a unanimous decision win for the American challenger Jarred Brooks, who walked into enemy territory and dethroned a champion.
He is the new ONE flyweight champion.

AND NEW! 👑 Jarred Brooks 🇺🇸 wins the ONE Strawweight World Title and calls out flyweight king Demetrious Johnson! 🐐 @The_monkeygod#ONE164
🇺🇸🇨🇦🇹🇭🇬🇧🇸🇦🇧🇷 Live on ONE YouTube⁠
🌍 Live on https://t.co/eBUfsOmxDL pic.twitter.com/1NHPJCzWeW
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) December 3, 2022



And new!

The new champ Brooks meets Mitch Chilson for a post-fight interview. He starts by giving his respect to Pacio and his countrymen.
“Utmost respect to Joshua and Team Lakay” he said. “I love the Filipino people.
“I know I’ve been the heel in the last few fights, but I’m a good person.”
He then heaped praise on ONE, claiming it’s a better promotion than the UFC – an interesting comment considering he has fought for both promotions, and one that will surely make ONE brass wish they had put him on this morning’s Prime Video card, which aired in US primetime.
“I love this promotion,” he said. “This is the best promotion in the world. This way better than the UFC.”
The new champ wraps things up by calling for a fight with flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson. And that’s that! Thanks for joining us.


ONE Championship 164: Jarred Brooks out-strikes Joshua Pacio to take strawweight MMA title

‘The Monkey God’ secures an impressive unanimous-decision victory over Pacio in the ONE 164 main event in Manila Earlier on the card, former heavyweight champion Brandon Vera retires after a first-round TKO loss to Amir Aliakbari

‘The Monkey God’ secures an impressive unanimous-decision victory over Pacio in the ONE 164 main event in Manila

Earlier on the card, former heavyweight champion Brandon Vera retires after a first-round TKO loss to Amir Aliakbari