ONE strawweight champion Joshua Pacio. Photo from ONE Championship
MANILA, Philippines—Joshua Pacio is showing a different kind of confidence ahead of his bout with Mansur Malachiev for ONE Fight Night 15: Tawanchai vs Superbon.
While Pacio isn’t taking Malachiev lightly, the former ONE Strawweight World Champion said he’s faced tougher obstacles in the form of Jarred Brooks.
“For me, Mansur is a different breed of wrestler and grappler but I believe that I’ve already faced the best wrestler in my opinion with Jarred Brooks,” said Pacio in an online media scrum on Friday.
“We’re not overlooking Mansur, though. He’s undefeated for a reason.”
Brooks beat Pacio in a masterclass in their last encounter last year for a unanimous decision.
Now a win over Malachiev can bring the Lions Nations MMA member back to the title picture.
However, he will first have to overcome a Russian wrestling machine in Malachiev, who holds an unblemished card of 11-0.
Pacio said fans should expect a different kind of wrestler come fight night.
“For this one, we’re preparing our wrestling and grappling… Expect a more confident Joshua Pacio coming in this fight; a more motivated one.”
Pacio and Malachiev will clash in a strawweight affair at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium on October 7.