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Reigning ONE strawweight MMA world champion 'The Passion' Joshua Pacio of the Philippines is set to move up a weight class to challenge newly crowned flyweight MMA king Yuya Wakamatsu.
The two go to battle at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, live at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
The Lions Nation MMA co-founder brings a wealth of world championship experience into this upcoming bout, having competed at the highest level for years.
In stark contrast, the Japanese titleholder is preparing for his first five-round world title defense since winning the gold.
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Pacio highlighted his vast experience in world championship fights as a key factor in his sky high confidence for securing this victory. He told ONE Championship:
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"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."
This upcoming matchup pits Pacio's golden credentials against Wakamatsu's raw power in what promises to be an explosive clash of styles for as long as it lasts.
If Pacio can defeat Wakamatsu, he will make history as the first two-division MMA world champion from the Philippines.
Joshua Pacio not taking Yuya Wakamatsu lightly at ONE 173 in Tokyo
‘The Passion’ Joshua Pacio isn’t going to rest on his laurels in preparation for his world title showdown with ‘Little Piranha’ Yuya Wakamatsu at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri.
The 29-year-old Baguio City native is deep in training, getting ready for the toughest fight of his professional career. He’s determined to make history with a big victory in Tokyo.
‘The Passion’ told ONE Championship:
“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.”
Tickets for ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri are available via ePlus in Japan. Meanwhile, fans in North America can visit onefc.com for more information on various streaming options.
