Reigning ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya Wakamatsu and strawweight titleholder Joshua Pacio have traded verbal jabs ahead of their champion versus champion showdown at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
The Japanese star will make his first title defense against the Filipino king, who moves up in weight seeking to become ONE Championship’s newest two-division ruler.
Wakamatsu seeks to cap a perfect 2025 campaign with a victory over the most accomplished strawweight in promotional history, while Pacio aims to follow Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao’s multi-division blueprint.
Japanese Champion Wakamatsu Seeks Perfect 2025 Ending on Home Soil
Wakamatsu has enjoyed a career-defining year after capturing the vacant flyweight crown by knocking out the legendary Adriano Moraes at ONE 172 in March 2025. The Japanese warrior accomplished what even MMA icon Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson couldn’t achieve – stopping the most dominant flyweight champion in ONE Championship history inside a single round.
The 30-year-old champion now pursues the ideal conclusion to his breakthrough season by defeating the strawweight division’s most decorated titleholder in Tokyo. Wakamatsu’s recent success has positioned him among the flyweight elite, though Pacio represents his most significant challenge to date.
The six-time strawweight champ spent most of 2024 recovering from a torn ACL before returning to complete his trilogy with longtime rival Jarred Brooks. Pacio’s decisive finish in their rubber match unified the strawweight title and established him as the division’s undisputed ruler, setting the stage for his ambitious pursuit of two-division glory.
Wakamatsu Predicts Violent Finish at ONE 173
The Japanese champion outlined his ideal scenario for defending his title, expressing his desire for a striking duel that ends with a resounding knockout. Wakamatsu’s aggressive mentality suggests he plans to test Pacio’s durability at the higher weight class.
“In the heat of a striking battle, I want to show my stand-up game. It’s really a kill-or-be-killed feeling. I want to come out on top and catch my opponent clean. Either knock him unconscious or drop him, then finish with ground-and-pound until the referee steps in. That’s the ideal finish for me,” Wakamatsu said.
The bold prediction demonstrates the champion’s confidence in his stand-up arsenal while acknowledging the violent nature of their upcoming fight. Wakamatsu’s first-round knockout of Moraes validated his KO power at the highest levels of flyweight competition.
Pacio Unfazed by Hostile Tokyo Environment
The Filipino challenger dismissed concerns about competing in his opponent’s home country, expressing complete confidence in his ability to secure victory regardless of crowd atmosphere. Pacio’s extensive championship experience has prepared him for hostile environments throughout his career.
“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 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,” Pacio offered.
The 29-year-old’s multiple paths to victory demonstrate his well-rounded skill set and experience. Pacio brings a 14-4 ONE Championship record with nine finishes into this flyweight title challenge, having established himself as one of the promotion’s most accomplished competitors.
In the United States and Canada, you can watch ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri live on pay-per-view exclusively on live.onefc.com at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on Saturday, November 15.
