Mansur Malachiev never believed he lost the first fight. He is making sure that explanation does not come up again on Friday.
The Russian challenger meets ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua Pacio in the main event of The Inner Circle 21 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, July 10, streaming live for members in Asia primetime.
Their first encounter at ONE Fight Night 15 in October 2023 ended with Pacio earning a unanimous decision. Malachiev went in with a leg injury and a short camp. He has been building toward this rematch ever since.
"I am sure that I won that fight against Pacio, but I do not understand why the judges raised his hand," he said.
The injury context is not offered as a ready-made excuse. It is offered as context for why Malachiev believes the gap between the two fighters is smaller than the scorecards suggested, and why the healthier, better-prepared version of him represents a different proposition for the titleholder.
"Last time, I went into the fight with a leg injury, and I had little time to prepare. This time, I was able to complete a full training camp. Now I am in full fighting condition," he said.
Since losing the first fight, Malachiev's record reads as a statement of intent. He submitted former ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Jarred Brooks, outpointed Yosuke Saruta, and stopped Bokang Masunyane. Three consecutive wins at the division's elite level have brought him back to the door he believes should have opened in 2023.
His path to the title runs through the grappling room. Pacio's striking is acknowledged. His wrestling resistance is assessed differently.
"His strong side is his striking, but he is not very strong in wrestling, especially freestyle wrestling," he said.
Malachiev has set an early finish as his primary goal while keeping the full five-round option open. He is not trading in certainties. He is trading in preparation.
"I cannot say that I am 100 percent confident, but I have a goal — to win early. I am ready for everything, even if that means going all five rounds," he said.
