Reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua Pacio will test himself at a higher weight class when he challenges ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya Wakamatsu for his belt at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri, which emanates from Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on Sunday, November 16. The Filipino will attempt to become a two-division titleholder, while Wakamatsu will make his first title defense on home soil.
Opportunity Too Good For Pacio To Pass Up
Pacio, who owns a 23-4 career slate, acknowledged that defending his strawweight crown remained his primary objective before ONE Championship presented this unexpected opportunity to capture flyweight gold. The Lions Nation MMA representative embraced the challenge despite the risks associated with moving up in weight.
“My main goal was to defend my strawweight title, but I’ll always grab opportunities that ONE Championship gives me. They gave me a chance to fight for the flyweight belt, so here we are,” Pacio explained about accepting the flyweight title challenge.
The six-time strawweight king’s 14-4 promotional record includes 9 finishes, demonstrating his ability to compete at the highest levels. Pacio recently completed his trilogy with American fighter Jarred Brooks with a 2-1 series advantage, winning their last two encounters to cement his status as the division’s undisputed ruler.
Pacio’s Physical Improvements Evident At Higher Weight Class
The Filipino striker has noticed remarkable physical benefits since beginning his flyweight preparation, particularly regarding his power and recovery capabilities. Pacio believes the additional weight has enhanced his overall performance without sacrificing the attributes that made him successful at strawweight.
“I really feel extra powerful in this weight class. I feel it in training, too, particularly with my recovery. During my training camps at strawweight, usually fatigue sets in near the end of the week. But right now, I have the same energy levels I had from the start,” Pacio said.
The improved recovery and sustained energy levels suggest the 29-year-old has found his optimal fighting weight, potentially opening the door for a permanent move to flyweight regardless of the outcome against Wakamatsu.
Speed Remains Priority for Pacio Despite Weight Increase
Despite the physical advantages of competing at flyweight, Pacio emphasized his commitment to preserving the explosive speed that has become his signature weapon. The Filipino structured his training camp specifically to ensure the weight increase wouldn’t compromise his most dangerous attribute.
“The main thing, of course, is to make sure I don’t lose speed. It’s one of my best attributes, so I made sure it’s still there when I move up a weight class,” Pacio stated about his preparation strategy.
The battle between the two elite titleholders who possess explosive striking arsenals and tremendous firepower promises to be a war for the ages.
