Joshua Pacio

Joshua Pacio is of Igorot descent, growing up in La Trinidad, Benguet.{{cite news |title=Joshua Pacio Embodies The Igorot Spirit |url=https://www.onefc.com/news/joshua-pacio-is-proud-of-his-igorot-warrior-spirit/ |access-date=8 December 2024 |work=ONE Championship |date=12 September 2018}} He had to learn to be independent at 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.{{cite web |title=Joshua "The Passion" Pacio |url=https://www.onefc.com/athletes/joshua-pacio/ |website=ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts |date=31 January 2017 |access-date=15 April 2021}} Pacio took up Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of the Cordilleras in Baguio{{Cite web|url=https://sports.abs-cbn.com/mma/news/2016/10/05/pacio-getting-done-inside-cage-classroom-16253|title=Sports}}

Pacio made his debut at Team Lakay Championship 8,{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/events/TLC-Team-Lakay-Championship-8-34727|title=TLC - Team Lakay Championship 8|website=Sherdog|accessdate=25 October 2020}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/04/16/16/pinoy-fighters-battle-in-one-global-rivals|title=Pinoy fighters battle in 'ONE: Global Rivals'|date=16 April 2016|website=ABS-CBN News|accessdate=25 October 2020}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2018/08/yoshitaka-naito-defends-strawweight-title-vs-joshua-pacio-at-one-championship-80|title=Yoshitaka Naito defends strawweight title vs. Joshua Pacio at ONE Championship 80|date=17 August 2018|accessdate=25 October 2020}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://sports.abs-cbn.com/onechampionship/news/2018/09/23/one-joshua-pacio-captures-one-strawweight-world-title-47278|title = Sports}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.ph/mma/joshua-pacio-one-championship-yosuke-saruta-one-eternal-glory-jakarta-a2437-20190120|title=Pacio falls short of ONE title-retention bid with split-decision loss to Saruta|date=January 20, 2019|author=Randolph B. Leongson|website=spin.ph}}

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.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

With a close finish, Pacio was given an outright rematch at ONE Championship: Roots of Honor in Manila on April 12, 2019 {{Cite web|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/newsroom/news-releases/2019/4/10/pacio-saruta-rematch-headlines-one-championship-on?lang=en|title=Pacio-Saruta rematch headlines ONE Championship on ABS-CBN S+A | ABS-CBN Corporate|first=ABS-CBN|last=Corporation|website=ABS-CBN|accessdate=25 October 2020}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.ph/mma/joshua-pacio-yosuke-saruta-rematch-chatri-sityodtong-one-strawweight-championship-a2437-20190414|title='Definitive' Pacio KO win vs Saruta eliminates need for trilogy, says ONE boss|date=April 14, 2019|website=spin.ph|author=Randolph B. Leongson}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/pacio-catalan-clash-philippines/168876|title=Pacio, Catalan to clash for the Philippines|first=Tiebreaker|last=Times|date=7 November 2019|accessdate=25 October 2020}} He defeated Catalan via arm-triangle choke in the second round.{{Cite web|date=2019-11-08|title=Joshua Pacio submits Rene Catalan to retain strawweight title at ONE: Masters of Fate {{!}} MMAWeekly.com|url=https://www.mmaweekly.com/joshua-pacio-submits-rene-catalan-to-retain-strawweight-title-at-one-masters-of-fate|access-date=2021-04-15|language=en-US}}

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.{{cite web |title=Joshua Pacio retains ONE title after close win over Alex Silva |url=https://www.spin.ph/mma/joshua-pacio-retains-one-title-after-close-win-over-alex-silva-a2437-20200131 |website=Spin.ph |access-date=15 April 2021 |language=en}}

Pacio defended his ONE Strawweight World Championship in a trilogy match against Yosuke Saruta at ONE Championship: Revolution on September 24, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/8/17/22628798/christian-lee-defends-lightweight-title-against-rae-yoon-ok-headline-one-championship-card-sept-24|title=Christian Lee defends lightweight title against Rae Yoon Ok to headline ONE Championship card on Sept. 24|author=Damon Martin|date=August 17, 2021|publisher=mmafighting.com}} He won the bout via TKO in the first round.{{Cite web|date=2021-09-24|title=ONE Championship: Revolution results – Rae Yoon Ok stuns Christian Lee to win title, Lee calls 'bullsh*t' on decision|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/one-championship-revolution-results-rae-yoon-ok-upset-christian-lee-title|access-date=2021-09-24|website=MMA Junkie|language=en-US}}

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.{{cite web |last1=admin |title='Scheduling Conflict' Derails Joshua Pacio, Jarred Brooks From ONE 158 |url=https://billionairesmind.in/scheduling-conflict-derails-joshua-pacio-jarred-brooks-from-one-158/ |website=billionairesmind.in |access-date=26 May 2022 |date=26 May 2022 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The fight was rescheduled at ONE 164 on December 3, 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.onefc.com/news/joshua-pacio-vs-jarred-brooks-to-headline-one-164-in-manila-on-december-3/|title=Joshua Pacio Vs. Jarred Brooks To Headline ONE 164 In Manila On December 3|publisher=ONE Championship – The Home of Martial Arts|author=Bear Farzer|date=2022-08-30|access-date=2022-08-30}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Taylor |first1=Tom |last2=Atkin |first2=Nicolas |date=3 December 2022 |title=ONE Championship 164: Brooks out-strikes Pacio to take strawweight title |url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3201950/one-championship-164-joshua-pacio-vs-jarred-brooks-live-results-updates |access-date=3 December 2022 |website=scmp.com}}

Pacio faced Mansur Malachiev on October 7, 2023, at ONE Fight Night 15.{{Cite web |last=Hoover |first=Mark |date=2023-09-05 |title=ONE Fight Night 15: Pivotal Strawweight MMA Bout Booked Between Joshua Pacio, Mansur Malachiev |url=https://www.mykhel.com/more-sports/one-fight-night-15-joshua-pacio-vs-mansur-malachiev-added-to-card-231835.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=myKhel.com |language=en-US}} He won the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-07 |title=Tawanchai, Pacio, Musumeci Score Victories At ONE Fight Night 15 |url=https://www.onefc.com/news/tawanchai-pacio-musumeci-score-victories-at-one-fight-night-15/ |access-date=2023-10-07 |website=ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts |language=en-US}}

Pacio faced Jarred Brooks for the ONE Strawweight World Championship in a rematch on March 1, 2024, at ONE 166.{{Cite web |last=Icasiano |first=Nissi |date=2023-12-18 |title=Joshua Pacio gets rematch with Jarred Brooks at ONE 166 in Qatar |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/joshua-pacio-gets-rematch-with-jarred-brooks-at-one-166-in-qatar/291867 |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=Tiebreaker Times |language=en}} He won the title via disqualification due to illegal slam in round one.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2024-03-01 |title=Joshua Pacio Regains Strawweight Title After Jarred Brooks DQ'd for Spike at ONE 166 |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/03/01/joshua-pacio-regains-strawweight-title-after-jarred-brooks-dqd-for-spike-at-one-166/ |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

The trilogy bout between Pacio and Brooks for the unification of ONE Strawweight World Championship took place on February 20, 2025, at ONE 171.{{Cite magazine |last=Beaupre |first=Drew |date=2024-12-09 |title=Joshua Pacio vs. Jarred Brooks Trilogy Fight Booked for ONE 171: Qatar |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/mma/news/joshua-pacio-vs-jarred-brooks-3-fight--one-championship-171-qatar |access-date=2024-12-09 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en}} Despite Brooks spent the majority of the first round, Pacio won the fight via technical knockout in round two upset.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-20 |title=ONE 171: Qatar Results from February 20 Event

|url=https://www.fightbookmma.com/one-171-qatar-results-from-february-20-event/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=FightBook MMA |language=en-US}}

• ONE Championship
• 20x20px ONE Strawweight World Champion (three times; current)
• Three successful title defences (second reign)

{{MMArecordbox

|ko-wins=9

|dec-wins=5

|sub-wins=8

|ko-losses=

|sub-losses=2

|dec-losses=2

|dq-wins=1

|draws=

}}

{{MMA record start}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|23–4

|Jarred Brooks

|TKO (punches)

|ONE 171

|{{dts|2025|February|20}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|4:22

|Lusail, Qatar

|{{small|Defended and unified the ONE Strawweight Championship (125 lb) Performance of the Night.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|22–4

|Jarred Brooks

|DQ (illegal slam)

|ONE 166

|{{dts|2024|March|1}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:56

|Lusail, Qatar

|{{small|Won the ONE Strawweight Championship (125 lb).}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|21–4

|Mansur Malachiev

|Decision (unanimous)

|ONE Fight Night 15

|{{dts|2023|October|7}}

|align=center| 3

|align=center| 5:00

|Bangkok, Thailand

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|20–4

|Jarred Brooks

|Decision (unanimous)

|ONE 164

|{{dts|2022|December|3}}

|align=center|5

|align=center|5:00

|Pasay, Philippines

|{{small|Lost the ONE Strawweight Championship (125 lb).}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|20–3

|Yosuke Saruta

|TKO (punches)

|ONE: Revolution

|{{dts|2021|September|24}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|3:38

|Kallang, Singapore

|{{small|Defended the ONE Strawweight Championship (125 lb).}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|19–3

|Alex Silva

|Decision (split)

|ONE: Fire and Fury

|{{dts|2020|January|31}}

|align=center|5

|align=center|5:00

|Pasay, Philippines

|{{small|Defended the ONE Strawweight Championship (125 lb) Broke the record for the most consecutive ONE Strawweight Championship (125 lb) title defenses (2).}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|18–3

|Rene Catalan

|Submission (arm-triangle choke)

|ONE: Masters of Fate

|{{dts|2019|November|08}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|2:29

|Pasay, Philippines

|{{small|Defended the ONE Strawweight Championship (125 lb).}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|17–3

|Yosuke Saruta

| KO (head kick)

|ONE: Roots of Honor

|{{dts|2019|April|12}}

|align=center| 4

|align=center| 2:42

|Pasay, Philippines

|{{small|Won the ONE Strawweight Championship (125 lb).}}

|-

|{{No2}}Loss

|align=center|16–3

|Yosuke Saruta

|Decision (split)

|ONE: Eternal Glory

|{{dts|2019|January|19}}

|align=center|5

|align=center|5:00

|Jakarta, Indonesia

|{{small|Lost the ONE Strawweight Championship (125 lb).}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|16–2

|Yoshitaka Naito

|Decision (unanimous)

|ONE: Conquest of Heroes

|{{dts|2018|September|22}}

|align=center|5

|align=center|5:00

|Jakarta, Indonesia

|{{small|Won the ONE Strawweight Championship (125 lb).}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|15–2

|Pongsiri Mitsatit

|Submission (hammerlock)

|ONE: Reign of Kings

|{{dts|2018|July|27}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|3:37

|Pasay, Philippines

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|14–2

|Ming Qiang Liang

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|ONE: Global Superheroes

|{{dts|2018|January|26}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|4:01

|Pasay, Philippines

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|13–2

|Roy Doliguez

|KO (spinning backfist)

|ONE: Legends of the World

|{{dts|2017|November|10}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|0:38

|Pasay, Philippines

|{{small|Strawweight bout.}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|12–2

|Hayato Suzuki

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|ONE: Kings and Conquerors

|{{dts|2017|August|05}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|3:17

|Macau, SAR, China

|{{small|Return to Flyweight.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|12–1

|Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke

|Decision (split)

|ONE: Warrior Kingdom

|{{dts|2017|March|11}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Bangkok, Thailand

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|11–1

|Yoshitaka Naito

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|ONE: State of Warriors

|{{dts|2016|October|7}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|1:33

|Yangon, Myanmar

|{{small|For the ONE Strawweight Championship (125 lb).}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|11–0

|Kritsada Kongsrichai

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|ONE: Heroes of the World

|{{dts|2016|August|13}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|4:37

|Macau, SAR, China

|{{small|Flyweight bout.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|10–0

|Rabin Catalan

|TKO (punches)

|ONE: Global Rivals

|{{dts|2016|April|15}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|3:19

|Pasay, Philippines

|{{small|Catchweight (127 lb) bout.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|8–0

|Roy Menzi Jr.

|Submission (guillotine choke)

|Team Lakay Championship 10

|{{dts|2016|March|26}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|2:05

|La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|7–0

|Janito Bayot

|Submission (guillotine choke)

|Team Lakay Championship 10

|{{dts|2016|March|26}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|2:02

|La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines

|{{small|Strawweight debut.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|6–0

|Joco Mabute

|Submission (kimura)

|PXC Laban: Baguio 4

|{{dts|2016|February|27}}

|align=center|0

|align=center|0:00

|Baguio, Philippines

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|5–0

|Ric Myler Empil

|TKO (doctor stoppage)

|PXC Laban: Baguio 3

|{{dts|2015|December|18}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|3:23

|Baguio, Philippines

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|4–0

|Mark Joseph Abrillo

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|Spartacus MMA

|{{dts|2015|October|24}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|1:39

|Manila, Philippines

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|3–0

|Jordan Lobida

|KO (punch)

|Fullcon Fighting Championship 2

|{{dts|2015|August|1}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|3:41

|Baguio, Philippines

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|2–0

|Ignacio Galindez

|TKO (submission to punches)

|Team Lakay Championship 9

|{{dts|2015|March|21}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:00

|La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|1–0

|Denver Songaben

|TKO

|Team Lakay Championship 8

|{{dts|2013|December|14}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:00

|Baguio, Philippines

|{{small|Flyweight debut.}}

|-

{{end}}

{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Joshua-Pacio-154651|title=Joshua|last=Pacio|website=Sherdog|access-date=2020-11-13}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.onefc.com/athletes/joshua-pacio/ Joshua Pacio] at ONE

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pacio, Joshua}}

Category:1996 births

Category:Living people

Category:Filipino male mixed martial artists

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing sanshou

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Muay Thai

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Category:University of the Cordilleras alumni

Category:Sportspeople from Benguet

Category:ONE Championship champions

Category:ONE Championship mixed martial artists

Category:Filipino sanshou practitioners

Category:Filipino Muay Thai practitioners

Category:Filipino practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Category:21st-century Filipino sportsmen

Category:Igorot people