All news tagged JoshuaPacio

Undisputed ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua Pacio is set to make history as he moves up a division to challenge Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu for the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title. Should Pacio succeed, he will become the first Filipino to claim world titles in two weight classes.

This highly anticipated champion vs. champion showdown takes place at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on November 16 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

Pacio, fresh off his emphatic victory over Jarred Brooks to end their rivalry, knows the challenge ahead is formidable.

“Yuya is not the king of the flyweight division for nothing. He’s earned his spot at the top with his power and speed. I respect what he brings to the table,” said Pacio. “I know I’m facing a tough challenge, but I’m ready to give my best and represent the Philippines with pride.”

Wakamatsu rides a four-fight win streak, highlighted by a first-round knockout of former champion Adriano Moraes to seize the flyweight crown at ONE 172 last March. The Japanese champion has also claimed notable wins over Filipino contenders Danny Kingad and Geje Eustaquio.

Despite Wakamatsu’s momentum, Pacio is confident he can make his country proud. “I expect a fast-paced, strategic bout. We’re both intelligent fighters who know how to adapt, so I believe this will be an exciting, high-level match. I’m looking forward to the challenge and putting on a great show for the fans,” he said.

Wakamatsu, for his part, respects Pacio’s skills but feels ready for the challenge ahead.

“Joshua Pacio is a world champion and a dangerous, well-rounded fighter. But if I stick to my game plan, I’m confident I’ll come out on top. We’re both fast and tactical, so it’s going to be a fight fans will remember,” said Wakamatsu.

With both champions promising an explosive, high-level contest, fans can expect fireworks when Pacio and Wakamatsu collide in Tokyo.

Filipino MMA star Joshua “The Passion” Pacio is set to chase history as he aims to become the Philippines’ first two-division world champion in ONE Championship.

Widely recognized as the most accomplished strawweight in the promotion’s history, Pacio is moving up in weight to challenge newly crowned flyweight champion Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu at ONE 173 on November 16 at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

Now 29, Pacio has exclusively competed at strawweight throughout his ONE career. Despite stepping into unfamiliar territory, he embraces the challenge. 

“This is a new chapter for me. I know the odds, but I’ve been through adversity before. I’m ready for this,” Pacio shared. 

Earlier this year, Pacio made a triumphant return after nearly a year sidelined by a partially torn ACL. At ONE 171 in Qatar last February, he completed his trilogy against Jarred Brooks for the ONE Strawweight MMA World Title. 

After surviving a dangerous guillotine attempt in the opening round, Pacio rallied in the second, unleashing ground-and-pound to unify the strawweight crown. 

The win improved his record to 23-4 and marked his seventh reign as ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion.

At ONE 173, Pacio faces a formidable opponent in Wakamatsu, who enters the bout on a four-fight win streak, including a victory over Pacio’s teammate Danny Kingad. 

Wakamatsu claimed the vacant ONE Flyweight title at ONE 172 in May with a knockout win over Adriano Moraes.

Despite the challenge of fighting in front of a partisan Japanese crowd, Pacio remains undeterred. 

“I’ll be walking into his backyard, but I know the Filipino spirit travels well. I’m doing this not just for me, but for the entire Philippines,” he said.

A victory would make Pacio the first Filipino to capture ONE world titles in two divisions, cementing his legacy as one of the country’s greatest combat sports icons.

It's now or never for ONE strawweight MMA world champion and the pride of the Philippines, Joshua “The Passion” Pacio.

The Filipino mixed martial artist is now in the midst of showing the world that he is better than rival Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks ahead of their title unification bout at ONE 171:Qatar on Thursday, February, 20, 2025. 

This will be an epic World Title trilogy fight to unify the divisional belts.

The two MMA star fighters first collided in late 2022 at ONE 164, when Brooks earned an impressive decision to catch up the win and capture the Filipino’s undisputed strawweight MMA crown.

In March 2024, they had a rematch at ONE 166: Qatar, where the American MMA fighter delivered an illegal slam in the opening minute, losing via disqualification and giving the World Title back to the Filipino fighter.

Now, it’s clear that “The Passion” will need to make some critical tactical adjustments to leave Qatar as the undisputed ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion.

Pacio said in an interview that he would show no fear in the trilogy-capping match and need to be selective, and never let his rival dictate the action on his feet.

“The thing that I want to show is a fighter who isn’t scared of what’s gonna happen in the ring, a fighter who isn’t scared to get taken down. A fighter who isn’t scared of being put in a precarious position on the ground. I want to show that I know what to do now,” he said.

The 29-year-old MMA fighter admitted that he got “stagnant” due to being “too worried about getting taken down, and now, he will be more focused on attacking and making Brooks as uncomfortable as possible.

“I was waiting for an opening, and that’s my error. That’s why he was able to land those clean shots. Credit to him because his footwork and movement really frustrated me,I want to show I have answers, that I’m not just gonna rely on my takedown defense to stop him, but I can battle him on the ground, even on my back.” 

“I want to show that he’s not just the one who’s a threat in wrestling. Maybe I’ll take him down, as well. Like [Demetrious Johnson], that ‘Mighty Mouse’ mentality,” he added. 

The Pacio-Brooks trilogy will be the main event of ONE 171, which will be held at the Lusail Sports Arena.

The long wait is over. 

After receiving a green light from his doctor, Joshua “The Passion” is now cleared and ready for some training and action to face him for the third time and close the book against Jarred Brooks in ONE Strawweight MMA World Championship unification at ONE 171 on February 20, 2025.

This third showdown between the two talented rivals is set to take place at the Lusail Sports Arena in Qatar where they once met and fought last March of this year.