Pacio’s road back to title shot starts vs compatriot Doliguez

Photo from ONE Championship

Joshua Pacio was just 20-years-old when he faced Yoshitaka Naito for the ONE world strawweight title, and even though he lost the bout the diminutive striker remains hell-bent on securing another shot at the gold.

Standing in his way though is the battle-hardened Roy Doliguez.

The 35-year-old Doliguez amassed an 18-19-9 record during his days as a professional boxer and is 7-4 in his MMA career.

“Obviously, Roy Doliguez has a ton of experience in the ring and cage,” said Pacio (9-2). “He is strong and very fierce. I will do my best and really show what I have.”

“I will put my best foot forward because I have trained very hard for this fight.”

Pacio will take on Doliguez in the ONE: Legends of the World card on Friday Nov. 11 at Mall of Asia Arena.

Pacio also looks to erase his painful loss to Hayato Suzuki back in August at Cotai Arena in Macau.

“That’s the hard part of losing because I have to start over again. A win over Hayato Suzuki could have given me a rematch for the belt, but it is what it is. I just have to move on and work my way up the rankings once more,” said Pacio.