Joshua Pacio set to make highly-anticipated ONE return this October

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Joshua Pacio is back.

The former king of ONE Fighting Championship’s strawweight division just got called up to return inside the famous mixed martial arts (MMA) ring this October 6, 2023, at the ONE Fight Night 15: Tawanchai vs Superbon on Prime Video event.

After almost a year of hiatus since losing to Jarred Brooks last December 2022 via unanimous decision, the Filipino MMA fighter will finally have the chance to showcase his new depth of skills following his departure from the widely renowned PHL-based stable Team Lakay.

However, the task will not be easy as Pacio was matched up against Dagestani star Mansur Malachiev who is yet to lose a single fight since entering the ONE promotion last 2014.

A known submission artist, Malachiev will be riding on his 11-fight winning streak against Pacio who is trying to get back in the title fight picture.

Pacio will look to clinch his belt against Malachiev and is seeking to flaunt his new fighting style patterned during his US training camp together with another Filipino MMA legend, Eduard Folayang.

Several months ago, the duo went to the US and visited the famous Jackson Wink MMA Academy to train and gain some additional ring tips.

The prestigious MMA gym is handled by two of the most-sought coaches in the sport, Greg Jackson and Mike Winklejohn.

After their training, Folayang, Pacio, and Kevin Belingon teamed up to create the newest MMA stable in the country, the Lions Nation organization.

The launching of the Lions Nation MMA was formalized last June 24, 2023, during the inauguration of the Landslide Martial Arts Training Center in La Trinidad, Benguet.

Will Pacio get the breakthrough win and get another shot for the strawweight title?