Joshua Pacio had an answer for everyone who counted him out. He delivered it at 4:23 of the first round.
Eight months after Yuya Wakamatsu handed him the first knockout loss of his career in a flyweight world title bid, The Passion stormed back with one of the finest performances of his career—choking out Russian challenger Mansur Malachiev to retain the ONE strawweight MMA world championship in the main event of ONE Championship‘s The Inner Circle 21 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok on Friday.
The victory was more than a title defense. It was a statement. And it nearly did not happen.
Malachiev Imposes Will Early, Pacio Responds
Malachiev came in with three straight wins since their first meeting nearly three years ago—a razor-close decision that Joshua Pacio took by the narrowest of margins and that left the MMA world divided over the verdict. The Dagestan-raised fighter believed he had figured the Filipino out. He imposed his wrestling immediately, secured an early takedown, established top control, and locked in a tight rear-naked choke that put the defending champion in genuine danger within the opening minutes.
For a moment, Pacio’s reign looked like it could end as quickly as it had begun in this third chapter. He did not panic.
“We prepared hard for this,” Pacio said in his post-fight interview. “My striking coach and my grappling coach mixed everything together because this is mixed martial arts. We knew he would go to his bread and butter, and that is the takedown.”
The preparation showed. Pacio patiently defended the submission until Malachiev’s grip loosened, then reversed position, unloaded elbows and short punches from the top, and kept the action on the canvas rather than allowing the Russian to scramble back upright. Then he took Malachiev’s back and attacked with a rear-naked choke of his own.
Malachiev initially peeled the arm away. Pacio calmly adjusted his grip and cinched it tighter. With nowhere left to go in the centre of the ring, Malachiev lost consciousness. Referee Mohammad Sulaiman waved it off.
Only after the victory did Pacio reveal just how close the pendulum had swung.
“Man, I nearly got submitted by a rear-naked choke,” he said. “It’s all about perseverance. I came back and got the rear-naked choke to win.”
What’s Next for Joshua Pacio?
The win marked Joshua Pacio’s second successful defence of the ONE strawweight MMA title in his third reign, improved his record to 24-5, produced the 10th submission victory of his professional career, and earned him a $50,000 performance bonus. Malachiev dropped to 14-2—both losses coming against the same man.
With the Russian out of the way, Pacio can turn his focus on future challengers. And, when asked about who he wants next, the champion sounded exactly like someone who has no intention of vacating his throne anytime soon.
“I’m at the top of the food chain,” Pacio said. “I’m the champion. Whoever ONE Championship gives me, I will face them. But I’m studying the top five in this division every day. I’m looking at their strengths and weaknesses, so I’m ready.”
Malachiev was Joshua Pacio’s No. 1 challenger. Next on the totempole is rival Jarrod Brooks, and a trilogy could be the biggest fight to make in the division. South Africa’s Bokang Masunyane is lurking, and Japan’s Keito Yamakita is making a move.
All of them can wait in line because Joshua Pacio is at the top of the mountain. He just reminded everyone why.
