Reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua Pacio saw his historic bid to become the first Filipino fighter to capture world titles in two divisions come to an end after falling short in his flyweight title challenge against Japan’s Yuya Wakamatsu at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on November 16 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
Pacio moved up in weight for a major opportunity against one of ONE Championship’s most dangerous and explosive fighters, but Wakamatsu proved too much to handle in the flyweight division, stopping the Filipino challenger via second-round technical knockout to retain the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title.
The Japanese champion’s relentless pressure, speed, and powerful striking combinations created problems for Pacio throughout the contest. Wakamatsu consistently pushed the pace and limited Pacio’s ability to establish his preferred striking rhythm, eventually forcing the referee to step in during the second round.
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Despite the setback, Pacio showed the skill and resilience that have made him one of the Philippines’ most respected mixed martial artists. The Team Lakay standout came close to changing the momentum of the fight when he landed a crushing left hook that sent Wakamatsu to the canvas, briefly putting the champion in danger and proving that Pacio remained a threat at any moment.
Although his pursuit of a second divisional title ended in defeat, Pacio’s status as one of ONE Championship’s elite fighters remains intact. The 30-year-old continues to hold the ONE Strawweight MMA World Championship and remains focused on further cementing his legacy in the division where he has built a remarkable career.
Pacio will now return to his natural weight class as he prepares to defend his strawweight crown against Russia’s Mansur Malachiev in a highly anticipated rematch at Inner Circle 21. The bout is scheduled for July 10 at the historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
This Friday at The Inner Circle 21, Joshua Pacio defends the ONE Strawweight MMA World Title in a rematch against Dagestani star Mansur Malachiev 👑 Join The Inner Circle now and don’t miss a second of the action!#TheInnerCircle21 | Fri Jul 10 at 6:30PM ICT/7:30AM ET
🔴 Join… pic.twitter.com/RbPViuINI8— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) July 6, 2026
The upcoming fight marks the second meeting between Pacio and Malachiev. The two first faced each other at ONE Fight Night 15 in 2023, where Pacio handed the Dagestani fighter his first professional defeat and ended his unbeaten run at the time.
Heading into their rematch, Pacio believes he has improved significantly since their first encounter, both physically and mentally, while acknowledging the threat posed by Malachiev’s elite grappling ability.
“I believe I have grown a lot since our first night. Not just technically, but also mentally and spiritually. Malachiev is a very dangerous opponent, especially with his grappling, and I respect that. But I have worked hard to improve in all areas, my defense, my striking, my composure. I wouldn’t say I’m better in every single aspect, but I know I’m more complete and more prepared now. I’m excited to show that in this rematch,” Pacio said in a media interaction.
The Filipino champion also highlighted his experience at the highest level of competition as one of his biggest advantages heading into the bout.
“I think one of my biggest advantages is my experience at this level and my ability to adapt. I have been in many tough fights and different situations, and I have learned how to stay calm and make the right adjustments. I also believe in my striking and my ability to control the pace of the fight. But overall, it’s about being ready everywhere because I know he’s dangerous in his own way,” he added.
For Pacio, every fight remains an opportunity to represent the Philippines and inspire fans back home. The Benguet native emphasized that success is not only measured by victories but also by growth, discipline, and delivering his best performance inside the cage.
“Every fight is an opportunity to show growth and represent my team and my country. So it’s not just about dominance, it’s about performance, discipline, and showing the best version of myself,” Pacio concluded.
While Pacio’s attempt to become a two-division world champion ended against Wakamatsu, his legacy as one of the greatest Filipino fighters in ONE Championship history continues to grow. With his focus now back on the strawweight division, the Filipino champion aims to defend his title, overcome another elite challenger, and further strengthen his place among the sport’s top competitors.
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