Tag: Global MMA

Joshua Pacio Punches Out Jarred Brooks in Round 2 to Retain Title – ONE 171 Results

Joshua Pacio vs. Jarred Brooks 3 ONE 171 Results. Joshua Pacio and Jarred Brooks headlined ONE 171: Qatar on Thursday, February 20, 2025, in a trilogy bout…

Joshua Pacio vs. Jarred Brooks 3 ONE 171 Results

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Joshua Pacio and Jarred Brooks headlined ONE 171: Qatar on Thursday, February 20, 2025, in a trilogy bout to unify the ONE Strawweight MMA World Championship. The fight took place at the Lusail Sports Arena and marked the culmination of a heated rivalry between the two elite strawweights.

Joshua Pacio vs. Jarred Brooks 3 Results

Joshua Pacio, the reigning champion from the Philippines, entered the bout well-known for his dynamic striking and well-rounded skill set. Pacio sought to defend his title and solidify his legacy as one of the greatest strawweights in ONE Championship history. He previously regained his belt in March 2024 after Brooks was disqualified for an illegal slam during their rematch.

Joshua Pacio vs. Jarred Brooks ONE 171 Results

Jarred Brooks, the American interim champion, came into the fight with a renowned background in wrestling. Brooks had claimed the interim title with a decisive victory over Gustavo Balart in August 2024. This trilogy bout at ONE 171 offered him a chance to reclaim undisputed status in the division after losing to Pacio under controversial circumstances.

Joshua Pacio vs. Jarred Brooks ONE 171 Results 3

The stakes were high as both fighters aimed to settle their rivalry once and for all. Their first meeting in December 2022 saw Brooks win via unanimous decision. In a rematch, Brooks lost the title due to an illegal slam. Now the two face off in a trilogy showdown with the world title on the line.

The US-born Brook quickly earned a takedown and advanced to side control. From there, he began landing ground and pound then began looking for an arm triangle submission which Pacio used to get back to his feet and secure a takedown of his own but Brooks slipped in a guillotine choke. Both men survive to fight in the next round.

Pacio caught a body kick from Brooks and landed a straight which knocked down the interim champion while he was on one leg. From top position in full guard, the Filipino-born Pacio began attacking with ground and pound to the body and head. With a flurry of punches, Pacio was able to defeat Brooks via TKO in the second round at 4:22.

Exclusive | MMA Fighter Veronika Smolkova Discusses Title Wins and Nude Modelling ‘Show off those girly things’

Exclusive | MMA Fighter Veronika Smolkova Discusses Title Wins and Nude Modelling 'Show off those girly things'Oktagon MMA fighter Veronika Smolkova is preparing for her next bout with a potential title opportunity on the horizon….

Exclusive | MMA Fighter Veronika Smolkova Discusses Title Wins and Nude Modelling 'Show off those girly things'

Oktagon MMA fighter Veronika Smolkova is preparing for her next bout with a potential title opportunity on the horizon. The Slovakian athlete has made a name for herself with her aggressive striking and finishing ability, and a victory in her upcoming fight could put her in line for a championship shot.

Veronika Smolkova

Speaking ahead of her fight, Smolkova expressed confidence in her preparation and reaffirmed her goal of securing a title. “I win this fight, and the belt is next,” she said. “I will do everything in my power to get it and defend it.”

“My dream is to do what I love, inspire others, and, along the way, maintain my joy, my happiness, and, most importantly, my health. I also see myself with titles—that’s a given.”

In addition to her fighting career, Veronika Smolkova has also gained attention outside the cage for her nude modeling. While some fighters prefer to keep their public image strictly focused on competition, Smolkova embraces both sides of her persona. She explained:

“After all, even though I’m a fighter, I’m also still a girl—a woman—and I like to show off those girly things. Even though it’s not too much, I still like to feel sexy and that kind of stuff, even alongside the sport … I am feminine, and I’m very sensitive. When I go to training, I have that sensitivity and those emotions—anger and other emotions you could call “bad” emotions, but also the ones that make you like an animal. I leave all of that at the gym and get it all out there. Then, after training, I can embrace my other emotions—my more feminine and sensitive side.”

Veronika Smolkova’s openness about balancing athletics and femininity has echoed with fans, particularly as more female fighters challenge traditional expectations in combat sports. At Oktagon 67, on February 22, she will be facing the top-ranked Aitana Álvarez.

Veronika Smolkova 3

“The message I’d like to send is to love yourself and not be afraid to be yourself. Even show off those quirks and unique things about you. Just express yourself in the most loving way toward yourself, and I feel absolutely honored to be able to show that to the younger generation of fighters—especially female fighters coming up.”

Veronika Smolkova 8

With a crucial fight ahead and a growing profile beyond MMA, Veronika Smolkova remains focused on both her professional goals and personal expression. If she secures a victory, a title fight could be next, another step in her rising career.

Witeness the Crushing Pain of Low Kick Championship

Witeness the Crushing Pain of Low Kick ChampionshipThe Low Kick Championship is making waves in the combat sports world with its unique format and laser focus…

Witeness the Crushing Pain of Low Kick Championship

The Low Kick Championship is making waves in the combat sports world with its unique format and laser focus on a fundamental martial arts technique. Unlike traditional MMA, kickboxing, or Muay Thai bouts, this event centers solely on low kicks. Just watching these crushing kicks is enough to make my legs hurt.

Low Kick Championship

Competitors take turns delivering low kicks, with all strikes required to land above the knee. The tournament follows a single-elimination format, typically consisting of three rounds per match. After each kick lands the competitors try to hide the pain but many grimace afterwards. It’s a painful competition but Kyokushin karate fighters are finding a nice home.

Since its debut on June 8 in Valencia, Spain, the Low Kick Championship has been gaining traction. Founded by Abraham Gallart, the event has already announced plans to expand internationally, with the UK set to host an upcoming tournament. The quick matches lends itself well to online spaces as most competitions are quick and easy to understand.

In a landscape filled with traditional martial arts competitions and novelty events like slap fighting, the Low Kick Championship stands out by focusing on a technique rooted in disciplines like Karate, kickboxing, and Muay Thai.

The next chapter of this rising promotion awaits, and fans will be watching closely to see how it potentially shapes the future of martial arts competitions. It looks painful and dangerous, so fight fans will enjoy.

Japanese Fighter Considered Suicide in 2024 and Doesn’t See 2025 Going Much Better

Japanese Fighter Considered Suicide in 2024 and Doesn't See 2025 Going Much BetterOne of Japan’s most celebrated kickboxers Leona Pettas took to social media to share his thoughts on what he…

Japanese Fighter Considered Suicide in 2024 and Doesn't See 2025 Going Much Better

One of Japan’s most celebrated kickboxers Leona Pettas took to social media to share his thoughts on what he described as a difficult 2024 and even considered suicide. The former K-1 Super Featherweight World Grand Prix champion has faced a series of challenges in recent years and revealed personal struggles in a heartfelt tweet that struck a chord with fans around the globe.

Leona Pettas on Suicide

On X, he said:

“Thank you for this year. It was a sh*tty year where I couldn’t accomplish anything and seriously considered retirement or suicide, but I’m still alive thanks to the people who supported me,” Pettas wrote. “In 2024, I have nothing but gratitude to all those who have supported me!!! I don’t have high hopes for 2025, but I will do my best to give back. Wait in anticipation.”

The 32-year-old kickboxer is known for his precision striking and championship pedigree. Leona Pettas has seen his career marred by setbacks in recent years. After a hand injury that sidelined him for 15 months, Pettas returned to competition in December 2023 at K-1 ReBIRTH 2, only to lose a majority decision against Rémi Parra in a non-title bout. The loss added to a string of frustrations for Pettas, who once held titles in both K-1 and Krush promotions.

He is likely best known for his unforgettable brawl with three-division K-1 Champion Takeru Segawa in which both men swung for the fences and traded knockdowns.

Leona Pettas remains a respected figure in kickboxing. As he navigates the uncertainties of the upcoming year, his supporters will undoubtedly “wait in anticipation” to see how the fighter moves forward in and out of the ring.

From Shaolin Temple to MMA: China’s Xie Wei’s Looks to Prove the Strength of a Shaolin Monk and Kung Fu

From Shaolin Temple to MMA: China's Xie Wei’s Journey Looks to Prove Shaolin Monk and Kung Fu StrengthChina’s Xie Wei has gone from training as a Shaolin monk to becoming a rising star in MMA. The…

From Shaolin Temple to MMA: China's Xie Wei’s Journey Looks to Prove Shaolin Monk and Kung Fu Strength

China’s Xie Wei has gone from training as a Shaolin monk to becoming a rising star in MMA. The Chinese fighter ‘The Hunter’ has built a reputation as a knockout artist, blending his traditional Kung Fu martial arts background with modern MMA techniques.

From Shaolin Monk to MMA Fighter

At 14, Xie Wei left his hometown to join the legendary Shaolin Temple in Henan Province. Over four years, he trained in Shaolin Kung Fu, a discipline known for its physical rigor and spiritual focus. By the time he left, Xie had become a martial arts instructor, but he wanted more.

From Shaolin Monk to MMA Fighter

“I’ve considered martial arts my passion since I entered the Shaolin Temple,” Xie shared in an interview. “With mixed martial arts, I’m lucky to have my passion as my job.” In 2016, Xie decided to leave the temple to pursue MMA, a decision that initially disappointed his family. Their support came later, once they saw his potential in the sport.
Climbing the MMA ranks in ONE Championship.

From Shaolin Temple to MMa Chinas Xie Weis Journey Looks to Prove Shaolin Monk and Kung Fu Strength

Xie started his MMA career in 2017, competing in regional Chinese promotions before catching the attention of ONE Championship. He entered through the ONE Hero and Warrior Series, where he won five consecutive fights, all by knockout or TKO. His official ONE Championship debut came against top flyweight contender Danny Kingad. Although Xie lost by unanimous decision, he proved he could compete at a high level.

Since then, the Chinese athlete Xie has bounced back with a string of impressive wins, including TKO victories over Chan Rothana, Kantharaj Agasa, and Dae Hwan Kim. Competing at the highest levels, he has suffered three consecutive losses to top opponents but will be looking to bounce back soon.

From Shaolin Temple to MMA Chinas Xie Weis Journey Looks to Prove Shaolin Monk and Kung Fu Strength 1

China’s Xie Wei

Currently 21-8, Xie Wei is on a mission to become one of China’s first male world champions in ONE Championship.
“I’ve already passed the hardest test in my debut against Kingad,” Xie said. “That’s history now. I’ll get back to my winning streak and work toward becoming a champion.”

With his unique blend of Shaolin Kung Fu and MMA, Xie Wei is making waves in the flyweight division. Up next, Xie hopes to climb higher in the rankings and move closer to a title shot in ONE Championship. For now, ‘The Hunter’ remains focused, determined, and ready for the challenges ahead.

From Shaolin Temple to MMA: China’s Xie Wei’s Looks to Prove the Strength of a Shaolin Monk and Kung Fu

From Shaolin Temple to MMA: China's Xie Wei’s Journey Looks to Prove Shaolin Monk and Kung Fu StrengthChina’s Xie Wei has gone from training as a Shaolin monk to becoming a rising star in MMA. The…

From Shaolin Temple to MMA: China's Xie Wei’s Journey Looks to Prove Shaolin Monk and Kung Fu Strength

China’s Xie Wei has gone from training as a Shaolin monk to becoming a rising star in MMA. The Chinese fighter ‘The Hunter’ has built a reputation as a knockout artist, blending his traditional Kung Fu martial arts background with modern MMA techniques.

From Shaolin Monk to MMA Fighter

At 14, Xie Wei left his hometown to join the legendary Shaolin Temple in Henan Province. Over four years, he trained in Shaolin Kung Fu, a discipline known for its physical rigor and spiritual focus. By the time he left, Xie had become a martial arts instructor, but he wanted more.

From Shaolin Monk to MMA Fighter

“I’ve considered martial arts my passion since I entered the Shaolin Temple,” Xie shared in an interview. “With mixed martial arts, I’m lucky to have my passion as my job.” In 2016, Xie decided to leave the temple to pursue MMA, a decision that initially disappointed his family. Their support came later, once they saw his potential in the sport.
Climbing the MMA ranks in ONE Championship.

From Shaolin Temple to MMa Chinas Xie Weis Journey Looks to Prove Shaolin Monk and Kung Fu Strength

Xie started his MMA career in 2017, competing in regional Chinese promotions before catching the attention of ONE Championship. He entered through the ONE Hero and Warrior Series, where he won five consecutive fights, all by knockout or TKO. His official ONE Championship debut came against top flyweight contender Danny Kingad. Although Xie lost by unanimous decision, he proved he could compete at a high level.

Since then, the Chinese athlete Xie has bounced back with a string of impressive wins, including TKO victories over Chan Rothana, Kantharaj Agasa, and Dae Hwan Kim. Competing at the highest levels, he has suffered three consecutive losses to top opponents but will be looking to bounce back soon.

From Shaolin Temple to MMA Chinas Xie Weis Journey Looks to Prove Shaolin Monk and Kung Fu Strength 1

China’s Xie Wei

Currently 21-8, Xie Wei is on a mission to become one of China’s first male world champions in ONE Championship.
“I’ve already passed the hardest test in my debut against Kingad,” Xie said. “That’s history now. I’ll get back to my winning streak and work toward becoming a champion.”

With his unique blend of Shaolin Kung Fu and MMA, Xie Wei is making waves in the flyweight division. Up next, Xie hopes to climb higher in the rankings and move closer to a title shot in ONE Championship. For now, ‘The Hunter’ remains focused, determined, and ready for the challenges ahead.