Yuya Wakamatsu believes his counter-striking style matches up well against Joshua Pacio's aggressive approach as he prepares to make his first ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship defense on November 16 in Tokyo.
The Japanese fighter will face reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Pacio at ONE 173 inside Ariake Arena, seeking to become the first fighter to knock out the Filipino veteran. Wakamatsu captured the vacant flyweight title with a first-round TKO of Adriano Moraes at ONE 172 in March, showcasing the knockout power that has defined his career.
Wakamatsu has studied Pacio's fighting patterns and identified what he views as an exploitable tendency. The 30-year-old describes himself as a counter-fighter who uses pressure intelligently, stepping in and out of range to create opportunities for devastating combinations.
"I'd say my style is more like out-boxing, but at the core, I'm basically a counter-fighter. As for Pacio, if his opponent doesn't engage, he'll press forward aggressively. And if you rush in carelessly, he'll catch you with a heavy counter," Wakamatsu explained. "My own style is to apply pressure, stepping in and then stepping back out. So when I compare our styles, I think they match up well."
The Tribe Tokyo MMA representative has already defeated notable Filipino fighters during his ONE Championship tenure, including former flyweight champion Geje Eustaquio and Pacio's current Lions Nation MMA teammate Danny Kingad. Those victories provide confidence as he prepares to face another elite Filipino competitor.
Wakamatsu envisions an ideal finish that involves catching Pacio cleanly during striking exchanges before following up with ground strikes. The champion acknowledges the inherent danger both fighters bring to the matchup, creating uncertainty about who will emerge victorious.
"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.
"So in the end, all I can do is fight with everything I have. From the opening bell, there will be tension. I hope the fans can enjoy that tension. Because honestly, you never know which of us will go down."
The bout brings a sense of symmetry to both fighters' careers. Wakamatsu made his ONE debut in September 2018 against Kingad, while Pacio headlined that same event by defeating Yoshitaka Naito to capture his first World Title. Seven years later, they meet with championship gold on the line.
Wakamatsu respects what Pacio has accomplished during his decorated tenure as strawweight champion. The Filipino has captured his title multiple times, always recovering from setbacks. Most recently, Pacio defended his strawweight crown with a second-round TKO of Jarred Brooks at ONE 171 in February, demonstrating his evolution from a wushu striking specialist into a complete mixed martial artist.
"When I made my debut about six or seven years ago, Joshua Pacio was already fighting on the same card. In the main event that night, he faced Yoshitaka Naito and became the champion," Wakamatsu reflected.
"Since then, he has held the title for a long time. Of course, he's had some losses along the way, but his accomplishments speak for themselves. Also, he has a longer career than I do, and he has defended the belt many times."
Despite his confidence in the stylistic matchup, Wakamatsu acknowledges the comprehensive threat Pacio presents. The challenger's striking carries finishing power across all techniques, while his grappling provides another dimension to his arsenal.
"He's a dangerous striker and a true all-rounder. He controls the fight really well. And he has knockout power in every strike. Knees, punches, and kicks are all dangerous," Wakamatsu said.
"He can finish with one shot. On top of that, he manages the flow of the fight extremely well. And not only that—his ground game is also very strong. Overall, he's a very dangerous opponent."
