Joshua Pacio says the losses in his career have taught him many important lessons: "I think it made me a great martial artist"

Joshua Pacio credits his defeats as the crucible that forged him into an MMA world champion.

The reigning ONE strawweight MMA world champion challenges Yuya Wakamatsu for the latter's ONE flyweight MMA world title at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri inside Tokyo's Ariake Arena on Sunday, Nov. 16.

In an exclusive interview with the South China Morning Post (SCMP) ahead of his bid to become a two-division MMA king, the 29-year-old Lions Nation MMA representative reflected on how his career rematches – particularly those following defeats – shaped his development and tactical evolution.

"Well, for me, all of these rematches made me who I am today. Like the rematch with [Yoshitaka] Naito in 2018, the trilogy with Yosuke Saruta, and this one with Brooks, and for me, he's the best strawweight in the division – Jarred Brooks. So, yeah, I think it made me a great martial artist to assess what my weaknesses are, assess what I need to improve on," Joshua Pacio told SCMP.

For the Filipino warrior, his ability to implement corrections has been the key to becoming a six-time strawweight world champion and now challenging for flyweight gold.

Moreover, his history of using losses as learning experiences and returning from adversity demonstrates the psychological resilience required when he attempts to make history as the first Filipino two-division MMA world champion at ONE 173.

Watch Joshua Pacio's full online interview with SCMP below:

---

Joshua Pacio wants to showcase a "different" version of himself in Tokyo

'The Passion' has left no stone unturned leading up to this electric all-champion showdown at ONE 173 in Tokyo, Japan.

As such, the Lions Nation MMA martial artist is ready to show just how much he's leveled up since he emerged victorious from his trilogy scrap against Jarred Brooks at ONE 171: Qatar in February this year.

"I'm gonna showcase a different Joshua Pacio, a different performance. Hopefully, to, you know, showcase a much leveled-up Joshua Pacio, especially here in flyweight because this is my natural weight class. And I would love to show my strengths here, and, if, God willing, we'll get the belt," he said in the same interview with SCMP.

Could Pacio's evolution through adversity carry him to two-division glory, or will Wakamatsu's home advantage prove too much? Share your predictions below!

Fight fans can purchase their PPV passes for ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri here.