Joshua Pacio believes he has identified the key advantage that will help him make Philippine MMA history when he challenges Yuya Wakamatsu for the ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship at ONE 173 in Tokyo.
The reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion will attempt to become the first Filipino two-division titleholder when he faces Wakamatsu on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena. While Pacio respects the Japanese fighter's explosive knockout power and technical improvements, he sees a potential weakness in Wakamatsu's experience.
"I've been fighting five-round fights since 2018. Wakamatsu has yet to compete in championship rounds. That's my biggest advantage if this fight reaches the championship rounds," Pacio explained. "I wouldn't say that he would fade, but I believe my experience allows me to sustain my energy levels in long fights."
Pacio has watched Wakamatsu's evolution closely throughout his ONE Championship career. The Japanese fighter captured the vacant flyweight title with a first-round TKO of Adriano Moraes at ONE 172 in March, capping a remarkable transformation after earlier losses to Demetrious Johnson and Moraes. Pacio recognizes similarities between their paths, noting how both fighters rebuilt themselves after setbacks.
"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," Pacio said. "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 those parallels, Pacio intends to exploit what he views as Wakamatsu's untested stamina. The Filipino has thrived in five-round battles throughout his multiple title reigns at strawweight, most recently dismantling longtime rival Jarred Brooks in a trilogy match at ONE 171 in February to unify the division's gold.
Pacio plans to mix striking and grappling to neutralize Wakamatsu's knockout threat while forcing the Japanese champion into unfamiliar deep waters. His wushu background provides a striking foundation, but the Lions Nation MMA representative expects his grappling to become a crucial weapon.
"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," Pacio said. "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."
The 29-year-old Baguio City native embraces the challenger mindset despite his decorated tenure as strawweight champion. Fighting on foreign soil before a Japanese crowd supporting their hometown hero adds another layer of adversity, but Pacio thrives when facing difficult odds.
"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," Pacio declared. "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."
