ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion ‘s career in ONE Championship has been nothing short of extraordinary.
The Filipino superstar has established himself as one of the greatest 125-pound fighters in MMA history, with multiple World Title reigns and memorable battles that have captivated fans worldwide. At 29 years old, “The Passion” continues to prove that he belongs at the top of the strawweight mountain.
His most recent triumph came this past February at , where he delivered a stunning second-round TKO victory over longtime rival to unify the ONE Strawweight MMA World Title.
With his status at strawweight firmly cemented, Pacio is looking toward the future – whether that means defending his crown again, moving up to flyweight, or even testing himself in the exciting world of mixed-rules competition.
Pacio’s path to greatness has been defined by perseverance and faith. Looking back on his remarkable 18-fight career in ONE Championship, the reigning World Champion told that he credits a higher power for his success:
“For me, I’m just a vessel used by God on this platform. If it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t be here. These achievements were done through Him. When I think about my journey here at strawweight, it’s been so many years. I’m just so happy. So many trilogies, rematches – we’ve managed to win it all. It’s been a journey.”
“The Passion’s” ONE tenure began in 2016 with a pair of dominant stoppage victories.
After next suffering a submission loss to Japanese veteran , Pacio refused to give up on his dream of claiming 26 pounds of gold. In September 2018, he captured the ONE Strawweight MMA World Title for the first time with a unanimous decision victory over the same opponent who had denied him two years earlier.
Since then, Pacio has been involved in some of the most thrilling World Title fights in ONE history. He’s defended his belt multiple times and consistently met the moment when the stakes are highest.
Those accomplishments have earned him high praise from the global MMA community, including his former Team Lakay teammate :
“Lito also said that I’m the strawweight GOAT, but I don’t really think about that label. I just think of how to improve as an MMA fighter.
“What I put in my mind is that the Philippines doesn’t have a lick of hope when it comes to the ground game; those are the things I often used to read.
“I want to prove to the critics that even though Filipino fighters don’t have the resources, the proper support, we can become World Champions and hold on to the gold. We can defend those titles until we reach our peaks in our careers.”
Pacio’s commitment to elevating Filipino MMA extends beyond his own achievements.
Now a leader at Lions Nation MMA, he serves as both an inspiration and a mentor to younger fighters. His success has helped shift perceptions about Filipino mixed martial artists, particularly regarding their grappling capabilities.
What’s more, he understands the responsibility that comes with his position. He’s fighting for an entire nation of combat sports enthusiasts who see him as proof that anything is possible with dedication and the right attitude:
“It really boils down to the mindset. In three years, we’ve seen the new fighters bring a higher level of fighting. Just what I said, you’re really forced to level up. That really was my mindset – we have to level up our training, our lifestyle. We need to work three times as hard in training.
“We really have to emulate how fighters in the U.S. train, so that we can have the same results here in the Philippines. That’s why [Filipino MMA legend] went to the U.S. before to get some ideas and implement them here. You’re really forced to research and gain new information to become a better fighter.”
A Future Move To Flyweight?
While Joshua Pacio continues to dominate at strawweight, he’s already considering his next chapter.
He’s long shown that he can make the 125-pound limit without compromising his performance or health, but he acknowledges that Father Time remains undefeated:
“After one or two years, if I have a hard time with weight, I think I’ll go up to flyweight because we can’t compromise my performance just to make weight. I’m a natural flyweight, and I’m the only one who can go down to strawweight fully hydrated.
“I’m still happy fighting in this weight class. I feel strong, I feel light. If I can still operate at the highest level here at strawweight, then I’ll stay.”
The prospect of Pacio competing at the 135-pound limit of flyweight opens up intriguing possibilities.
His speedy movement could translate into even more devastating performances, while his championship pedigree would make him an immediate threat to anyone in the division.
Beyond traditional MMA competition, “The Passion” has expressed interest in exploring mixed-rules fights, not unlike the unforgettable 2022 showdown between MMA GOAT and Muay Thai icon .
In terms of potential opponents, he’d love to square off with either reigning ONE Strawweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion or interim strawweight kickboxing titleholder :
“MMA or mixed rules? Why not. Those two fights are great. I want to try that also. If we can do the first round kickboxing, then move to grappling, then round three MMA, I think that’s a really fun fight. If ONE gives that opportunity, we’ll grab that.”
