Joshua Pacio Record, stats and next fight

Analysis

Joshua Pacio is a Filipino mixed martial artist competing in the strawweight division of ONE Championship. He is a three-time ONE strawweight MMA world champion, a title he has held since his submission win over Mansur Malachiev on July 10, 2026.

Background

Joshua Felix Pacio was born on January 10, 1996, in La Trinidad, Benguet province, Philippines. Of Igorot descent, he grew up in a household where his father worked abroad to support the family, which forced him to become self-reliant early on. He took up kickboxing at 11 before switching to wushu at 13, a discipline that has shaped his striking style ever since. He also studied hospitality management at the University of the Cordilleras in Baguio.

Pacio made his professional debut at Team Lakay Championship 8, beating Denver Songaben by first-round TKO. He went on a six-fight winning streak that caught the attention of ONE Championship, the organization he signed with as part of Team Lakay Wushu.

ONE Championship Career

Pacio made his promotional debut on April 15, 2016, in Manila, beating fellow Filipino Rabin Catalan by second-round TKO. After a series of wins, he got his first title shot against Yoshitaka Naito in October 2016, a fight he lost by third-round submission. He got his rematch on September 22, 2018, and won by unanimous decision to become ONE strawweight MMA world champion for the first time.

His first title reign ended four months later against Yosuke Saruta, who beat him by a controversial split decision. Pacio reclaimed the belt on April 12, 2019, ending the fight by fourth-round KO with a spinning back kick, with the organization deeming a third meeting with Saruta unnecessary. He then defended his title against Rene Catalan by submission, then against Alex Silva by split decision, before losing it on December 3, 2022, to Jarred Brooks by unanimous decision, ending the Filipino presence among ONE champions for a time.

Pacio rebuilt with a decision win over Mansur Malachiev in October 2023, before facing Brooks again for the title on March 1, 2024. He won the fight by disqualification after his opponent landed an illegal strike in the first round, then unified the belt for good on February 20, 2025, beating Brooks by second-round TKO. Pacio defended his title again on July 10, 2026, at The Inner Circle 21, submitting Malachiev by rear-naked choke in the first round.

Fighting Style

Pacio fights out of an orthodox stance and draws on a wushu background that feeds a fast, varied striking game, complemented by Brazilian jiu-jitsu, where he holds a purple belt. His record reflects that versatility: nine wins by KO or TKO, nine by submission and five by decision, plus one win by disqualification. Within ONE Championship, he competes alongside other roster champions such as Christian Lee and former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson.

Record

• Record: 24 wins, 5 losses
• Wins by KO or TKO: 9
• Wins by submission: 9
• Wins by decision: 5
• Wins by disqualification: 1
• Titles: three-time ONE strawweight MMA world champion, current reign since July 2026

Fact File

• Full name: Joshua Felix Pacio
• Nickname: The Passion
• Born: January 10, 1996, La Trinidad, Benguet province, Philippines
• Nationality: Filipino
• Height: 5’5″ (165 cm)
• Reach: 5’7″ (170 cm)
• Division: strawweight
• Team: Lions Nation MMA, formerly of Team Lakay Wushu
• Coach: Gibran Langbayan (Brazilian jiu-jitsu)
• Base: wushu, Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt

Sources

• en.wikipedia.org
• www.onefc.com