ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua Pacio is hedging his bet to become the Philippines’ first-ever two-division world champion in the Singapore promotion.
Lions Nation MMA’s Joshua Pacio is not batting an eye even as he faces tall odds in his challenge for the ONE Flyweight World Championship against Yuya Wakamatsu at ONE 173 at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo on Sunday, November 16.
Pacio, the current strawweight world champion, won’t be facing just Wakamatsu, but he’ll also be going up against a hostile crowd.
Wakamatsu is the reigning champion and the home bet all at the same time, and Pacio’s expecting the crowd to be electric to spur on their fighter against the equally determined challenger.
But as he’s always done so in his career, Pacio is happy to take on the odds.
“I know Japanese people are very respectful, I respect them a lot and it’s a new territory for me. It’s my first time competing here, but you know, I’m more focused on Yuya Wakamatsu,” Pacio said in the recent pre-fight press conference.
Pacio further said that it will be his first time seeing action at the Ariake Arena, and is looking forward to putting on a show.
But even as the Filipino takes on unfamiliar territory, rising above adversity isn’t something that Pacio is new to.
“Throughout all my career, I fought in enemy, hostile [territory] so it’s not new to me. Pressure, it’s not new to me. It’s a very very big challenge, but what can I say?” Pacio said.
“Watch me November 16 become a two-division world champion.”
Testing the waters
Pacio has ruled the strawweight division in recent years, with only his one-time snag against former champion Jarred Brooks serving as a blemish in his record.
Always eager to test himself and find out where he’s at, Pacio has made the move up to flyweight to hopefully meet the same success he did in strawweight. But it won’t just be for personal glory when the Lions Nation MMA fighter steps into the Circle.
He is also vying to become the first two-division World Champion from the Philippines in the Singapore promotion.
Being one of the pillars of Philippine MMA since his time with Team Lakay and former champions like Eduard Folayang, Kevin Belingon, Geje Eustaquio, and Honorio Banario, Pacio hopes to prove that he’s still got it even when he steps into a new division.
Pacio’s bout with Wakamatsu will be one of five title fights to be decided in ONE 173. They will preface the main event between reigning champion Superbon and interim titlist Masaaki Noiri of Japan for the Featherweight Kickboxing World Championship unification.
—
Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.