A New Chapter for Joshua “The Passion” Pacio
Joshua “The Passion” Pacio, the reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion, is set to make history for the Philippines when he steps into the Octagon on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. This fight marks a significant moment in his career as he aims to become the first Filipino two-division titleholder by challenging newly crowned ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu.
Pacio has built a remarkable legacy as the strawweight king, overcoming numerous obstacles throughout his career. Each setback only served to strengthen his resolve, and he consistently returned stronger than before. His journey reached a high point in February at ONE 171, where he defeated longtime rival Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks in a trilogy match to unify the ONE Strawweight MMA World Title. This victory solidified his place as the greatest 125-pound MMA fighter in the promotion’s history.
However, this upcoming challenge presents new hurdles. Wakamatsu, the Japanese veteran, has emerged as one of the most dangerous flyweights in the organization. Initially seen as a raw knockout artist, Wakamatsu has evolved into a well-rounded martial artist after setbacks against legends like Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson and Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes. His recent triumph at ONE 172, where he secured the vacant flyweight title with a first-round TKO of Moraes, showcased his transformation.
Pacio recognizes the similarities between his own career trajectory and that of Wakamatsu. He notes:
“I witnessed Yuya’s development as an athlete, from when he first started in ONE up to now. He’s a champion for a reason. He’s very well-rounded. I see myself in him. We have similar career trajectories. He’s had losses before, then he went back to the drawing board. He reviewed his weaknesses and got back up. He’s always learning from his mistakes.”
Despite his respect for Wakamatsu, Pacio believes his experience in championship rounds will give him an edge. Having fought five-round wars since 2018, he has developed strategies to manage energy and outlast opponents. He is confident that if the fight reaches the later rounds, his experience will be key.
Strategic Approach and Fighting Style
Wakamatsu is known for his striking prowess, but Pacio plans to disrupt this dynamic. With a strong wushu background, he can hold his own in stand-up exchanges. However, his grappling skills could prove to be his best weapon.
Pacio emphasized:
“The fight will always start on the feet. But if I get the opportunity to take him down, I’ll take it. We’re really planning to mix things up. I understand he’s a really strong striker. Timing will be key for this one. I have to be on the lookout for his strikes to set up my takedowns. I can’t be one-dimensional.”
Embracing the Underdog Role
Pacio has spent much of his career defending titles, but this time, he is the challenger. Competing in hostile territory, he acknowledges the challenges ahead. However, his mindset remains unchanged. He has always approached each fight as the underdog, and this mindset has served him well.
He stated:
“Yes, I’ve been the strawweight champion for a long time, but my mentality has always been the same. I always enter all my fights thinking I’m the challenger. That has always been my mindset, and it has served me well.”
At ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri, Pacio will face a roaring Japanese crowd supporting their hometown hero. The atmosphere will be electric, but Pacio is ready to rise to the occasion. He declared:
“I’ve been doing this for so long, I’m not fazed by that anymore. I don’t really feel at a disadvantage when fighting in my enemy’s hometown. I will just go out there and do what God has put me out to do. We’re going to Japan to win. I see myself getting my hand raised by the end of the night. If the knockout won’t come, it’ll probably be by unanimous decision or submission.”
