Joshua Pacio

Joshua Felix Pacio[1] (born January 10, 1996) is a Filipino mixed martial artist who competes in the Strawweight division of ONE Championship. He is the former ONE Strawweight World Champion.[2] From April 2016 to July 2016, he was ranked at the #8 Strawweight in the world according to Fight Matrix.[3] As of December 1, 2022, Pacio is the #23 Flyweight in the world, as ranked by Fight Matrix.[4] He is currently ranked #1 in the ONE Championship Strawweight rankings.

Joshua Pacio
BornJoshua Felix Pacio
(1996-01-10) January 10, 1996
La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines
Other namesThe Passion
NationalityFilipino
Height165 cm (5 ft 5 in)
Weight56.7 kg (125 lb; 9 st)
DivisionStrawweight
Reach67 in (170 cm)
StyleSanda
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofPhilippines
TeamTeam Lakay Wushu (2007–2023)
Lions Nation MMA (2023–present)
RankBlue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Gibran Langbayan
Years active2013–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total25
Wins21
By knockout8
By submission9
By decision4
Losses4
By submission2
By decision2
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Early life and education

Joshua Pacio grew up in La Trinidad, Benguet and he had to learn to be independent at such an early age after his father worked overseas to provide for his family. Pacio got exposed to martial arts at the early age of 11, where he started working on his kickboxing, before transitioning to Wushu at age 13.[5] Pacio took up Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of the Cordilleras in Baguio[6]

Mixed martial arts career

Early mixed martial arts career

Pacio made his debut at Team Lakay Championship 8,[7] where he came away with a first round TKO over Denver Songaben. This would be a start off red-hot six-match winning streak which eventually led to him being signed by ONE Championship.

He made his ONE Championship debut on April 15, 2016 - beating compatriot Rabin Catalan by second-round technical knockout at ONE Championship: Global Rivals at the Mall of Asia Arena in the Philippines.[8]

After beating Kritsada Kongsrichai, Pacio earned his first shot at the ONE Strawweight World Championship against Yoshitaka Naito at ONE Championship: State of Warriors on October 17, 2016 in Yangon.

Pacio came close to being a World Champion at age 20, as he punished Naito with his patented Wushu strikes on the feet, but a mishap in the third round cost him the entire match as he got submitted by the Japanese via rear naked choke.[9]

First World Title reign

After his loss to Naito, Pacio would wreak havoc in the division - winning five of his next six bouts to book another date with Naito this time at ONE: Conquest of Heroes on September 23, 2018 in Jakarta Indonesia.

Pacio rematched Yoshitaka Naito at ONE Championship: Conquest of Heroes on September 22, 2018. Pacio looked more confident in the rematch as he stuffed Naito's takedowns for much of the first two rounds while punishing him on the striking department with lightning quick kicks and combinations from different angles. The Japanese did finish strong as he scored takedowns on his younger opponent, but Pacio stayed busy even on his back - earning all of the judges' nod to get a unanimous decision victory.[10]

Losing the belt, Second reign

Pacio's reign, however, would not last long as he dropped his belt four months later to Yosuke Saruta at ONE Championship: Eternal Glory on January 19, 2019, in a controversial split-decision.[11]

The Japanese pushed the action while Pacio opted to pick his spots and counter in one of his more tactical bouts yet. In the end, two of the judges favored Saruta's aggression - crowning him the new ONE Strawweight World Champion.

With a close finish, Pacio was given an outright rematch at ONE Championship: Roots of Honor in Manila on April 12, 2019 [12] Pacio did not disappoint as he scored a sensational fourth round knockout win with a well-timed knee to regain his lost title.

Later that night, ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced that there would be no need for an immediate trilogy after Pacio's definitive win.[13]

Pacio defended his belt for the first time in his second reign as he takes on compatriot Rene Catalan at ONE Championship: Masters of Fate in Manila on November 8, 2019.[14] He defeated Catalan via arm-triangle choke in the second round.[15]

Pacio defended his title again against Alex Silva at ONE Championship: Fire and Fury on January 31, 2020. He won the very close bout via split decision.[16]

Pacio defended his ONE Strawweight World Championship in a trilogy match against Yosuke Saruta at ONE Championship: Revolution on September 24, 2021.[17] He won the bout via TKO in the first round.[18]

Pacio was expected to make his fourth title defense against the #1 ranked strawweight contender Jarred Brooks at ONE 158 on June 3, 2022. The bout was eventually postponed, as Brooks withdrew from the fight due to an injury.[19] The fight was rescheduled at ONE 164 on December 3, 2022.[20] Pacio lost the fight and the belt by unanimous decision, making him and the Philippines had no more Filipino World Champions of any weight classes.[21]

Post-championship, departure from Team Lakay, and the formation of Lion's Nation MMA

Pacio left his gym on March 10, 2023 together with other three fellow former Team Lakay athletes, on June 24, 2023, he and his fellow senior members formed their new team called Lion's Nation MMA.

Pacio faced Mansur Malachiev on October 7, 2023, at ONE Fight Night 15.[22] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[23]

Titles and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
24 matches 20 wins 4 losses
By knockout 8 0
By submission 8 2
By decision 4 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 21–4 Mansur Malachiev Decision (unanimous) ONE Fight Night 15 October 7, 2023 3 5:00 Bangkok, Thailand
Loss 20–4 Jarred Brooks Decision (unanimous) ONE 164 December 3, 2022 5 5:00 Pasay, Philippines Lost the ONE Strawweight Championship (125 lb).
Win 20–3 Yosuke Saruta TKO (punches) ONE: Revolution September 24, 2021 1 3:38 Kallang, Singapore Defended the ONE Strawweight Championship (125 lb).
Win 19–3 Alex Silva Decision (split) ONE: Fire and Fury January 31, 2020 5 5:00 Pasay, Philippines Defended the ONE Strawweight Championship (125 lb).
Win 18–3 Rene Catalan Submission (arm-triangle choke) ONE: Masters of Fate November 8, 2019 2 2:29 Pasay, Philippines Defended the ONE Strawweight Championship (125 lb).
Win 17–3 Yosuke Saruta KO (head kick) ONE: Roots of Honor April 12, 2019 4 2:42 Pasay, Philippines Won the ONE Strawweight Championship (125 lb).
Loss 16–3 Yosuke Saruta Decision (split) ONE: Eternal Glory January 19, 2019 5 5:00 Jakarta, Indonesia Lost the ONE Strawweight Championship (125 lb).
Win 16–2 Yoshitaka Naito Decision (unanimous) ONE: Conquest of Heroes September 22, 2018 5 5:00 Jakarta, Indonesia Won the ONE Strawweight Championship (125 lb).
Win 15–2 Pongsiri Mitsatit Submission (hammerlock) ONE: Reign of Kings July 27, 2018 1 3:37 Pasay, Philippines
Win 14–2 Ming Qiang Liang Submission (rear-naked choke) ONE: Global Superheroes January 26, 2018 1 4:01 Pasay, Philippines
Win 13–2 Roy Doliguez KO (spinning backfist) ONE: Legends of the World November 10, 2017 2 0:38 Pasay, Philippines Strawweight bout.
Loss 12–2 Hayato Suzuki Submission (rear-naked choke) ONE: Kings and Conquerors August 5, 2017 1 3:17 Macau, SAR, China Return to Flyweight.
Win 12–1 Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke Decision (split) ONE: Warrior Kingdom March 11, 2017 3 5:00 Bangkok, Thailand
Loss 11–1 Yoshitaka Naito Submission (rear-naked choke) ONE: State of Warriors October 7, 2016 3 1:33 Yangon, Myanmar For the ONE Strawweight Championship (125 lb).
Win 11–0 Kritsada Kongsrichai Submission (rear-naked choke) ONE: Heroes of the World August 13, 2016 1 4:37 Macau, SAR, China Flyweight bout.
Win 10–0 Rabin Catalan TKO (punches) ONE: Global Rivals April 15, 2016 2 3:19 Pasay, Philippines Catchweight (127 lb) bout.
Win 8–0 Roy Menzi Jr. Submission (guillotine choke) Team Lakay Championship 10 March 26, 2016 3 2:05 La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines
Win 7–0 Janito Bayot Submission (guillotine choke) Team Lakay Championship 10 March 26, 2016 1 2:02 La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines Strawweight debut.
Win 6–0 Joco Mabute Submission (kimura) PXC Laban: Baguio 4 February 27, 2016 0 0:00 Baguio, Philippines
Win 5–0 Ric Myler Empil TKO (doctor stoppage) PXC Laban: Baguio 3 December 18, 2015 1 3:23 Baguio, Philippines
Win 4–0 Mark Joseph Abrillo Submission (rear-naked choke) Spartacus MMA October 24, 2015 2 1:39 Manila, Philippines
Win 3–0 Jordan Lobida KO (punch) Fullcon Fighting Championship 2 August 1, 2015 1 3:41 Baguio, Philippines
Win 2–0 Ignacio Galindez TKO (submission to punches) Team Lakay Championship 9 March 21, 2015 1 0:00 La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines
Win 1–0 Denver Songaben TKO Team Lakay Championship 8 December 14, 2013 1 0:00 Baguio, Philippines Flyweight debut.

[24]

References
  1. "Joshua "The Passion" Pacio". onefc.com. 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  2. "MMA: Joshua Pacio retakes ONE strawweight title in sensational KO win". news. abs-cbn.com. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  3. Fighter ">, Joshua Pacio One Fighting Championship One Fighting Championship Fighter Mixed Martial Arts. "Joshua Pacio - MMA Fighter Profile, Ranking - FightMatrix.com". Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  4. "Joshua Pacio - Fight Matrix". Fight Matrix. 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  5. "Joshua "The Passion" Pacio". ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  6. "Sports".
  7. "TLC - Team Lakay Championship 8". Sherdog. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  8. News, ABS-CBN (16 April 2016). "Pinoy fighters battle in 'ONE: Global Rivals'". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 25 October 2020. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  9. "Yoshitaka Naito defends strawweight title vs. Joshua Pacio at ONE Championship 80". 17 August 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  10. "Sports".
  11. Randolph B. Leongson (January 20, 2019). "Pacio falls short of ONE title-retention bid with split-decision loss to Saruta". spin.ph.
  12. Corporation, ABS-CBN. "Pacio-Saruta rematch headlines ONE Championship on ABS-CBN S+A | ABS-CBN Corporate". ABS-CBN. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  13. Randolph B. Leongson (April 14, 2019). "'Definitive' Pacio KO win vs Saruta eliminates need for trilogy, says ONE boss". spin.ph.
  14. Times, Tiebreaker (7 November 2019). "Pacio, Catalan to clash for the Philippines". Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  15. "Joshua Pacio submits Rene Catalan to retain strawweight title at ONE: Masters of Fate | MMAWeekly.com". 2019-11-08. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
  16. "Joshua Pacio retains ONE title after close win over Alex Silva". Spin.ph. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  17. Damon Martin (August 17, 2021). "Christian Lee defends lightweight title against Rae Yoon Ok to headline ONE Championship card on Sept. 24". mmafighting.com.
  18. "ONE Championship: Revolution results – Rae Yoon Ok stuns Christian Lee to win title, Lee calls 'bullsh*t' on decision". MMA Junkie. 2021-09-24. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  19. admin (26 May 2022). "'Scheduling Conflict' Derails Joshua Pacio, Jarred Brooks From ONE 158". billionairesmind.in. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  20. Bear Farzer (2022-08-30). "Joshua Pacio Vs. Jarred Brooks To Headline ONE 164 In Manila On December 3". ONE Championship – The Home of Martial Arts. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  21. Taylor, Tom; Atkin, Nicolas (3 December 2022). "ONE Championship 164: Brooks out-strikes Pacio to take strawweight title". scmp.com. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  22. Hoover, Mark (2023-09-05). "ONE Fight Night 15: Pivotal Strawweight MMA Bout Booked Between Joshua Pacio, Mansur Malachiev". myKhel.com. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  23. "Tawanchai, Pacio, Musumeci Score Victories At ONE Fight Night 15". ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. 2023-10-07. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  24. Pacio. "Joshua". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
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