Undisputed MMA champion Joshua Pacio surprised by relaxed diet ahead of historic ONE title bid

Reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua Pacio is on the verge of making history.

The Team Lakay standout is set to challenge for a second world title, aiming to become the first Filipino fighter to hold belts in two weight divisions in ONE Championship. Pacio is moving up to flyweight to face Yuya Wakamatsu, the reigning champion from Japan, at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on November 16 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.

Wakamatsu, a dangerous knockout artist, claimed the flyweight crown with a first-round stoppage of Adriano Moraes at ONE 172, setting up a high-stakes clash between two of Asia’s elite MMA fighters.

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Pacio, who hails from Benguet, is deep in training camp for the bout and says the transition to a higher weight class has offered a surprising yet welcome change.

CHAOTIC MMA scrap 😵 Before Joshua Pacio challenges Yuya Wakamatsu for the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title at ONE 173 in Tokyo, watch his hard-fought battle with Mansur Malachiev in 2023! 😱#ONE173 | Nov 16
Get your tickets now 👉 https://t.co/Y945HG1sg5 pic.twitter.com/572WqtQdyP

— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) September 21, 2025

“For this fight, I’m actually quite thrilled. I don’t have to cut weight that much,” Pacio told media. “Peter Miller from Condition Nutrition is still guiding me. At strawweight, I had to restrict my calories. Now, I’m quite surprised by the amount I’m able to eat.”

The 29-year-old last fought in February 2025 at ONE 171: Qatar, where he unified the strawweight title with a dramatic second-round TKO over interim champion Jarred Brooks. The victory not only settled their trilogy 2–1 in Pacio’s favor, but also earned him a $50,000 performance bonus and improved his professional record to 23–4.

“My main goal was to defend my strawweight title, but I’ll always grab the opportunities that ONE Championship gives me,” Pacio said. “They gave me a chance to fight for the flyweight belt, so here we are.”

Now, with momentum on his side and the support of an entire nation behind him, Pacio is set to take the biggest leap of his career as he chases double gold and ONE Championship immortality.

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